MIAMI – The Miami-Dade Police Department is mourning one of its own.
Officials confirmed Wednesday night that 29-year-old Detective Cesar “Echy” Echaverry had died.
He was rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital by a fellow officer Monday night after being shot by an armed robbery suspect in Miami.
In a tweet posted Wednesday evening, Miami-Dade Police Director Freddy Ramirez said Echaverry passed away after “a brief battle for his life.”
It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the untimely passing of Officer Cesar "Echy" Echaverry. Surrounded by loved ones, Echy succumbed to his injuries after a brief battle for his life. pic.twitter.com/gue5oQZwug
— Alfredo "Freddy" Ramirez III (@AFreddyRamirez) August 17, 2022
“Officer Echaverry died in the line of duty while serving & protecting our community,” Ramirez said in the tweet. “Our law enforcement family will continue to stand beside & support the Echaverry family through this difficult time. We’ll never forget Officer Echaverry’s bravery & sacrifice. Godspeed, brother.”
Echaverry was a member of MDPD’s Robbery Intervention Detail.
11 p.m. report:
A large gathering of law enforcement officers was at the hospital Wednesday in a showing of support for Echaverry and his family.
At Wednesday’s Miami Marlins game, the team dedicated a jersey with the number nine etched with Echaverry’s name on the back.
By all accounts, Echaverry was a beloved son, brother, fiancé, FIU graduate and bike enthusiast who loved his job with the Miami-Dade Police Department.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is compiling every part of the investigation, starting with the initial armed robbery of a convenience store in Dania Beach, which the suspects are believed to be responsible for, to the deadly shootout on Monday night and finally to the Miami Springs hotel where police tracked and killed the second suspect.
There has been no word yet on funeral arrangements for Echaverry.