Holly MatkinCollier County, FL – Miccosukee Tribal Police Department (MTPD) Officer Horacio Dominguez died in the line of duty early Sunday morning after a tire on his patrol vehicle blew out.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), the 43-year-old officer was traveling westbound on Interstate 75 near Picayune Strand State Forest Campground when the right rear tire of his marked patrol car blew out at approximately 1:20 a.m., the Naples Daily News reported.
Officer Dominguez’s vehicle flipped multiple times before coming to rest in the grassy median.
The officer was ejected during the crash, and died from his injuries at the scene, the Naples Daily News reported.
Investigators said he was not wearing a seatbelt.
The investigation into the fatal collision remains ongoing, according to the FHP.
Officer Dominguez, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, recently retired from the Army National Guard, according to a fundraising campaign established to help his family in the wake of his death.
He joined the MTPD three years ago.
“Officer Horacio Sebastian Dominguez was a dedicated military veteran, Marine and soldier, who served his country honorably and recently retired as a staff sergeant with the Army National Guard,” the MTPD said in a statement to WSVN.
He leaves behind his wife and a young daughter, according to his department.
“At this time the Tribe is providing support and assistance to the fallen officer’s family,” the MTPD told the Miami Herald.
#RIP Officer Dominguez & thank you for your service!
Sending our deepest condolences to the Miccosukee Police Department for their loss!
EOW: 2/21/21 🙏🏼⚫️🔵⚫️🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/2DWph662CF
— FHP Miami (@FHPMiami) February 21, 2021
We express our deepest condolences to our friends at the Miccosukee Police Department as they mourn the loss of Officer Horacio Dominguez. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/8CvJZgB4ZJ
— Miami-Dade Police (@MiamiDadePD) February 22, 2021
We extend our deepest sympathies to the family, friends, and coworkers of Officer Horacio Dominguez of the Miccosukee Police Department, who tragically passed away yesterday following a traffic accident. pic.twitter.com/0BPB7by1yo
— Pembroke Pines PD (@PPinesPD) February 22, 2021
We offer our most heartfelt condolences to our brothers and sisters of the Miccosukee Police Department for the tragic loss of Officer Horacio Dominguez, who died in a motor vehicle accident yesterday. He will not be forgotten. #wewillneverforget pic.twitter.com/Tc1jvlYjhB
— Broward Sheriff (@browardsheriff) February 22, 2021
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Miccosukee Tribal Police Department Officer Horacio Dominguez, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
