Fort Lauderdale Police Detective To Be Laid To Rest On Friday
Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter
FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) – On Friday morning, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts will be flooded with well-wishers who want to celebrate the life and the mourn the death of Fort Lauderdale Police Det. Christopher Sheehan.
Sheehan grew up in Fort Lauderdale and followed his father into public safety. His dad was a Division Chief for Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue. Sheehan's friends and colleagues like Police Capt. Frank Sousa say Sheehan loved life.
"Chris was the kind of guy who would want to in shorts and sandals and he'd rather be hunting or fishing but when it came time to come do what he do and wear what we wear, he had a passion for it," Sousa said.
And once he put his uniform on, Sousa and others say Sheehan dedicated himself to protecting his community and his fellow officers.
"Loved wearing a uniform," Sousa said. "Loved being a Fort Lauderdale police officer. Really embodied what we should all aspire to be. Just a guy who always came ready to work and help people."
Sheehan died late last week in Coral Springs while he was driving home from a hunting trip. Police say a driver rear ended his vehicle. His fellow officers say his death hit this tight knit group of men and women hard.
Sgt. Mike Tucker says Sheehan worked one of the riskiest jobs at the police department – tracking down the most dangerous criminals in the city. Tucker says Sheehan served with bravery and courage.
"He comes from a long line of heroes and being a hero was in his blood and chris wouldn't have thought twice about doing anything for anybody and putting his life on the line," Tucker said.
Sheehan leaves behind his parents, a brother, who is a firefighter, and a fiancée. He also leaves behind a legacy of dedication to his city, his fellow officers and his fellow man.
"We're going to continue Chris's memory here," Sousa said. "His family knows that they have a family at this police department in the city of Fort Lauderdale for the rest of their lives."
Coral Springs police said they no charges have been filed at this point against the driver who hit Sheehan but the investigation is still moving forward.
