MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A Broward Sheriff’s Office deputy was found dead next to his agency-issued vehicle Tuesday morning in southwest Miami-Dade, authorities confirmed.
A Local 10 News crew was in the area of Southwest 137th Avenue and 320th Street as Miami-Dade police blocked off the intersection.
A BSO vehicle was spotted nearby with tarps covering the passenger side and back windshield.
Local 10′s Joseph Ojo reported that there were members of multiple law enforcement agencies at the scene.
According to Miami-Dade police Detective Angel Rodriguez, officers responded to 911 reports from a passerby of an “officer down” in the area around 6:30 a.m.
He said officers found the marked BSO vehicle and a deputy laying adjacent to it.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue personnel pronounced the deputy dead at the scene. His identity has not yet been released, however BSO spokeswoman Miranda Grossman confirmed in a news release that the deputy was off duty at the time and had been with the agency for 16 years.
“This is a challenging day for our agency as we try to help each other through the unexpected loss of one of our deputies. Our primary concern is supporting the deputy’s family and co-workers, ensuring they have the resources and care they need to process and grieve this tragedy,” Grossman said.
A woman who arrived at the scene later in the morning told Ojo the deputy was a cousin of her daughter’s husband.
“I know the person that’s down there was related to my daughter’s husband, but exactly what took place, I don’t know 100 percent,” she said.
The Miami-Dade Police Department’s Homicide Bureau has “assumed the unclassified, death investigation,” Rodriguez said.
He said the manner and cause of death will be determined by the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner.
“At this time, detectives are not actively looking for any subjects,” Rodriguez confirmed.
BSO is now reminding the public that they are not alone and that there is help out there for those struggling with mental health.
“The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline can be reached by calling or texting 988 or through chatting at 988Lifeline.org,” Grossman said. “You can also contact 211 Broward Crisis and Suicide Care Support at 211-broward.org.”