Holly MatkinAguadilla, PR – Puerto Rico Police Department (PRPD) Sergeant Jose Ferrer-Pabon died in the line of duty on Christmas Eve when an oncoming vehicle crashed into him at a high rate of speed.
The fatal collision occurred on Highway 110 at approximately 12:30 a.m. on Dec. 24, Primera Hora reported.
The 44-year-old agent was westbound in his Dodge Charger patrol vehicle when the driver of an eastbound 2004 Nissan 350Z lost control and slammed into him, according to police.
The driver of the Nissan, 18-year-old Eric Arreizaga Cruz, and his father, 41-year-old Jose Arreizaga Jordan, were both killed in the crash, Primera Hora reported.
Sgt. Ferrer-Pabon succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
Police said he was on his way back to the station at the end of his shift when the fatal crash occurred, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.
Sgt. Ferrer-Pabon served with the PRPD’s Stolen Vehicles Division.
“My condolences to the entire family, loved ones and colleagues of the police officer José Ferrer Pabón,” Puerto Rico Governor Pedro Pierluisi said in a press release later in the day, according to Primera Hora. “May God give you great strength in this difficult time, especially your wife Nelly.”
“All of Puerto Rico joins in prayer and gratitude for their work in the Puerto Rico Police,” the governor continued. “We also ask for prayers and much strength for the family of José Arreizaga and his son Eric D. Arreizaga, who are also received by the Lord today because of this terrible accident. May they rest in peace.”
Isabela Mayor Miguel “Ricky” Mendez said Sgt. Ferrer-Pabon was a resident of the Isabela community.
“I am (at) the residence of agent José Ferrer Pabón, paying my respects to his family in the face of such a regrettable loss,” Mendez said in a Facebook post on Friday. “On behalf of all Elizabethans, I raise a prayer to heaven so that God will grant the two families the necessary strength to cope with this difficult process. Rest in peace.”
Pierluisi said Sgt. Ferrer-Pabon’s fellow officers described him as a person who “always went the extra mile to work for the welfare of the people,” The San Juan Daily Star reported.
“Puerto Rico is saying goodbye to a great public servant,” the governor said.
Sgt. Ferrer-Pabon, a 10-year veteran of the PRPD, was posthumously promoted from the rank of agent to the rank of sergeant, according to The San Juan Daily Star.
He leaves behind his wife, Neliseth, as well as his two children, Joannelis and Joniel, according to Pierluisi.
“We accompany them in this moment of pain and we express our most sincere condolences and wishes for strength,” the governor said.
Sgt. Ferrer-Pabon was laid to rest on Tuesday, according to The San Juan Daily Star.
No hay palabras para describir el dolor que representa la perdida de uno de Mis Policías, nuestro compañero José Ferrer Pabón, placa 35961.
Le pido a DIOS Todopoderoso, que nos ofrezca la paz y consuelo que tanto necesitamos.
Cnel. Antonio López Figueroa #1-14591
¡Presente Señor! pic.twitter.com/qRChm4qLo4— Coronel Antonio López Figueroa (@prcompolicia) December 24, 2021
Honramos al compañero, sargento José Ferrer Pabón, placa 8-35961, junto al @prcompolicia @PRPDNoticias, su familia y seres queridos. Los acompañamos en este momento de dolor y que Dios les de fortaleza. Que descanse en paz. pic.twitter.com/zLp18LiEJr
— Alexis Torres (@prsecseguridad) December 28, 2021
Honoring Puerto Rico Police Department Agent José Ferrer-Pabón, died December 24, 2021, in a vehicle crash on PR-110 near Rafael Hernandez Airport in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. Honor him so he is not forgotten. pic.twitter.com/lEV52Q0qYv
— Steve Wightman (@stevewightman1) December 25, 2021
–@GovPierluisi decreta un día de duelo en #PuertoRico mañana, martes, ante el fallecimiento del agente de la Policía @PRPDNoticias, José Ferrer Pabón, quien murió durante el cumplimiento del deber, en un accidente de tránsito en Aguadilla el pasado viernes, 24 de diciembre.. pic.twitter.com/y3U2xX90RG
— Robby Cortés🇵🇷 (@RobbyCortes) December 27, 2021
Our thoughts are with @PoliciasPR and the family and friends of Agent José Ferrer-Pabón who was killed as he was returning to the station at the end of his shift when an oncoming vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed lost control and struck his patrol car head-on. #LODD #EOW pic.twitter.com/lKxUMkH3mh
— ATF HQ (@ATFHQ) December 24, 2021
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Puerto Rico Police Department Sergeant Jose Ferrer-Pabon, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
Sandy Malone
