Watch CBS News

Miami Police Mourning Loss Of Fellow Officer Killed In Crash

Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – It didn't take long to figure out that something was terribly wrong at Kendall Regional hospital.

As quickly as officers from the city of Miami, Miami-Dade and the Florida Highway Patrol arrived, less than an hour later, the road in front of the hospital would close. They left with the body of their brother, Officer Jorge Sanchez.

"I'm saddened and pained to report the City Of Miami Police Motorcycle Officer Jorge Sanchez was killed in a traffic crash at 137th Ave. and 8th St. while on duty," Miami Police Chief Rodolfo Llanes said at a press conference Tuesday evening.

The 21-year veteran was close to joining his former Miami Police Chief Manny Orosa in retirement.

"He was always soft spoken. He was a big muscular guy, but he was very soft-spoken and he was just a great guy to be around and talk with him and have conversations," Orosa said. "He was a great cop and a tremendous detective and he will be sorely missed."

As officers left the Miami Police Department Tuesday afternoon, the pain was visible in their faces.

"When you're working in the police department and something like this happens, the first thing that goes through your mind is that that could be me and you start thinking about how your family is going to react if that would've been you," Orosa said.

The Miami Police Department is not only mourning the loss of Officer Sanchez, but dealing with the fact that his son, also a Miami police officer, lost a father.

"I know that the police department will circle around the son and give him all the support he needs at this time and moving over into the future as well," Orosa said.

Orosa said Sanchez would always get the job done and was an officer any chief would be proud to work with.

"When someone that is just about to retire, that's got less than a year to go, he goes out this way in a tragic accident, it's unbelievable," Orosa said. "My heart goes to the family that is going to be suffering for a while."

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.