Holly MatkinMiami, FL – Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD) Detective Cesar “Echy” Echaverry died in the line of duty on Wednesday after being shot in the head while trying to apprehend an armed robbery suspect two days earlier.
“He laid down his life to stop a violent criminal and we will be forever grateful for his selfless service and sacrifice to our community,” Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava told the Miami Herald in a statement. “Echy, as he was lovingly known to his police family, will be remembered always for his courage, his sense of duty and his unwavering dedication to keeping our residents safe.”
Cava and MDPD Director Alfredo Ramirez first spoke about the attack on Det. Echaverry shortly after midnight on Aug. 16, the Miami Herald reported.
They said at the time that the 29-year-old wounded hero was in “very, very critical condition,” according to FOX News.
Law enforcement sources said police were searching for a white car on Aug. 15 after an armed robbery took place at a convenience store in Dania Beach, the Miami Herald reported.
Police said officers ultimately located the suspect vehicle at a Miami Springs hotel.
Detectives stopped the car near 67th Street and Northwest 17th Avenue in the Liberty City neighborhood at approximately 8:15 p.m. on Monday, FOX News reported.
Police said the suspect refused to exit the vehicle and “barricaded” himself inside before he began slamming the car into multiple MDPD vehicles “in an attempt to flee,” according to the Miami Herald.
A brief pursuit ensued, but the gunman ultimately crashed into a passing vehicle and a pole near 7th Avenue and Northwest 62nd Street.
Police said Det. Echaverry pulled his SUV within inches of the suspect’s vehicle in an attempt to block him in and had just gotten out of his patrol unit when he was shot in the head, according to the Miami Herald.
The alleged gunman was fatally wounded by police moments later.
He has since been identified as 32-year-old Jeremy Willie Horton, the Miami Herald reported.
Investigators said it was unclear how many rounds were fired during the shootout.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is handling the ongoing investigation into the incident, the Miami Herald reported.
Three people who were inside the vehicle the suspect slammed into were transported to the hospital in stable condition, according to the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
A second suspect allegedly involved in the Dania Beach convenience store robbery with Horton was fatally shot by Miami police as they were serving a warrant at a hotel in Miami Springs on Tuesday, the Miami Herald reported.
Det. Echaverry was rushed to Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds on Wednesday.
“It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the untimely passing of Officer Cesar ‘Echy’ Echaverry,” Director Ramirez tweeted on Wednesday night. “Surrounded by loved ones, Echy succumbed to his injuries after a brief battle for his life.”
“Officer Echaverry died in the line of duty while serving & protecting our community,” the director added. “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.”
The five-year department veteran was a member of the MDPD’s Robbery Intervention Detail (RID), which focuses of apprehending fugitives and those accused of committing violent offenses, the Miami Herald reported.
RID detectives generally patrol the city’s high-crime areas and use unmarked vehicles.
Det. Echaverry leaves behind his parents, fiancé, and his siblings, WPLG reported.
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
On Monday, Miami Dade Police Department Detective Cesar Echaverry suffered a critical shooting injury during a robbery investigation. As he continues to fight for his life, please join us in rooting for his recovery. pic.twitter.com/tcsDpSqKjb
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) August 17, 2022
It is with a heavy heart that I extend our deepest condolences to the family of Officer Cesar Echaverry, the Miami-Dade police department and the entire community. Officer Echaverry was shot and killed while protecting his community. We are forever grateful for his service. pic.twitter.com/rGqk9BAkNB
— Rep. Val Demings (@RepValDemings) August 18, 2022
PRAYERS FOR OUR BROTHER IN BLUE FIGHTING FOR HIS LIFE: His name is Cesar Echaverry, a Police Detective for Miami-Dade. He is fighting for his life after being shot by a criminal. Please join us in sending prayers for his recovery | #GodBless #SaluteTheBlue🇺🇸⚫️🔵⚫️🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/AdlBILBJMr
— SALUTE-THE-BLUE FAMILY (@SaluteTheBlue) August 17, 2022
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Miami-Dade Police Department Detective Cesar “Echy” Echaverry, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Detective Cesar Echaverry, your life mattered.
Sandy Malone
