MIAMI (WSVN) - Tributes poured in from UPS workers around the world, including London, for the UPS driver who lost his life in the deadly rush hour shootout in Miramar on Thursday.
The memorial continues to grow alongside Miramar Parkway where 27-year-old Frank Ordonez’s life came to a tragic end.
Meanwhile, in Miami, Ordonez’s friends and family gathered at Vior Funeral Home located at 291 NW 37th Ave. to see him one last time.
According to police, the deadly chain of events began when two armed robbers went to rob Regent Jewelers, located along Miracle Mile in Coral Gables, Thursday afternoon.
At some point, according to investigators, bullets started flying and the two suspects, Lamar Alexander and Jerome Hill, both 41, took off with the UPS truck with Ordonez inside.
The chase ended in Miramar with a deadly shootout that left Ordonez and innocent bystander Richard Cutshaw, 70, dead.
Ordonez’s family is still looking for answers. They believe Ordonez did not have to die and hold the police accountable for his death.
“They didn’t afford my son an opportunity to get away. It could’ve been avoided. It’s a 25-mile chase,” Ordonez’s stepfather Joe Merino said.
The community came together for a memorial at the UPS center in Northwest Miami-Dade Sunday night, where Ordonez’s former co-workers embraced each other and wrote him notes and messages.
“To think of the excitement and enthusiasm that he had, and that he has children, it just hurts,” said Linda Stevens, a FedEx employee.
“We all respect Frank, and we’re sorry that it happened the way it did, and God bless them,” said David Braud, a FedEx employee.
As Ordonez’s family and friends say their final goodbyes, they continue to mourn the loss of their loved one.
“I’m just wondering what went through his head during that ordeal,” Merino said, “the 25-mile chase that ended up with him dying. Thinking of us, thinking of mainly his little girls. What torture? What mental torture that could’ve been? I can’t imagine that. I can’t imagine what went through his head, that you’re gonna die. It’s sad.”
Ordonez’s death has had an impact across the country and the world. In the United States, the union that represents UPS drivers held a moment of silence, Monday.
In London, UPS drivers took a picture holding up signs with the phrase, ‘#ONEUPS RIP FRANK ORDONEZ.’
“I’m so grateful for the world and for the community. The outpour has been overwhelming to the point that it’s unbelievable,” said Merino.
The viewing for Ordonez began at 5 p.m. and continued throughout Monday evening.
The family will say their final goodbye, Tuesday afternoon.
At 12:15 p.m. there will be a procession from the funeral home to the cemetery where the funeral will take place at 1 p.m.
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