Miami, FL – Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD) Detective Marcus Carey died on Nov. 23 following a lengthy battle against cancer.
The 49-year-old detective served his community for more than two decades.
“It is with deep sorrow that we announce the untimely passing of Officer Marcus Carey, due to natural causes,” the department tweeted on Nov. 24. “Officer Carey was with the MDPD for 22 years. He served his community honorably and will be missed. Our prayers are with the Carey family.”
Det. Carey was a former University of Miami football player who went on to graduate from the Miami-Dade County police academy in 2000, according to the Miami Herald.
He was originally assigned as a patrol officer in the Carol City area, but had been serving in the narcotics bureau since 2005.
His former longtime partner, MDPD Det. Kirk Beruty, said Det. Carey had a laid-back, easygoing nature that made it easy for him to build a rapport with suspects, informants, and witnesses, the Miami Herald reported.
“He had a good heart and was just able to communicate with people,” the retired narcotics detective said. “And his humor — he made everyone bust out laughing, even in the darkest of times.”
Det. Carey leaves behind his wife, Heather, and two children.
A fundraising campaign established to help his family in the wake of their loss has raised over $26,800 so far.
“We’re saddened to learn of the passing of Marcus Carey,” the Miami Hurricanes tweeted on Nov. 24. “Marcus was a member of the ’89 and ’91 National Championship teams and served our community as a police officer with @MiamiDadePD. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the untimely passing of Officer Marcus Carey, due to natural causes. Officer Carey was with the MDPD for 22 years. He served his community honorably and will be missed. Our prayers are with the Carey family. pic.twitter.com/wkDvxVXB5B
— Miami-Dade Police (@MiamiDadePD) November 24, 2020
We're saddened to learn of the passing of Marcus Carey.
Marcus was a member of the '89 and '91 National Championship teams and served our community as a police officer with @MiamiDadePD. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/OOxqA7K2ZX
— Canes Football (@CanesFootball) November 24, 2020
R.I.P. Marcus Carey
🙏 🙏 🙏 pic.twitter.com/VaXYO3Bl7h— Kelvin Harris (@Ebonylifestyles) November 23, 2020
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Miami-Dade Police Department Detective Marcus Carey, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.