Last Tuesday, FDLE Special Agent Jose Perez passed away, 17 days after he was hit by another driver in a catastrophic vehicle crash while responding to a building alarm. Agent Perez was a special agent at FDLE’s Miami Regional Operations Center (MROC).
Javier Sandoval, who allegedly had alcohol and cocaine in his system when he struck Special Agent Perez with his vehicle, was later arrested and hit with several charges, including DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide.
Subscribe to the Florida Jolt Newsletter!
First Lady to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Casey DeSantis, offered her comments on Special Agent Jose Perez’s passing as his funeral was set to occur yesterday.
“The tragic loss of FDLE Special Agent Jose Perez, who died in the line of duty. With over 20 years in the U.S. armed forces & more than 30 years in law enforcement, he lived a valiant life serving our nation & state.”
DeSantis is reportedly attending Special Agent Perez’s funeral, canceling a fundraiser he was supposed to participate in for New York Gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin, R-NY.
According to the New York Post, conservative commentator Dan Bongino filled in for DeSantis.
1/2 DeSantis insider to me: "The governor, first lady and family are all in good health. There’s no family tragedy here…There’s a scheduling conflict. We are looking for a date to reschedule the event"
My guess: wires got crossed over DeSantis attending services for FDLE agent https://t.co/psXSoHEGZX
— Marc Caputo (@MarcACaputo) August 29, 2022
DeSantis offered his thoughts on Perez’s passing on Twitter on August 21st, saying that Perez “spent his life serving others”
Special Agent Jose Perez spent his life serving others, in the U.S. Armed Forces and, for over 30 years, in law enforcement. @CaseyDeSantis are I are praying for his family & his fellow @fdlepio officers. https://t.co/yRfRlnZUjg
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) August 21, 2022
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody reportedly attended Special Agent Perez’s funeral, posting a picture of the procession on Twitter on Monday.
Moody said that Perez “dedicated his life to serving others” and that he would “always be remembered.”
Today, we honor another Florida hero, FDLE Special Agent Jose Perez.
Agent Perez dedicated his life to serving others—from the military to multiple law enforcement agencies, including our Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. May he always be remembered. pic.twitter.com/CMhhXvtphg
— AG Ashley Moody (@AGAshleyMoody) August 29, 2022
The Orlando police department sent their honor guard to Miami to pay their respects to Special Agent Perez, saying they were there to “honor their fallen brother.”
Members of our Honor Guard were in Miami this morning to honor our fallen brother, Special Agent Jose Perez with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. EOW August 20, 2022. pic.twitter.com/w1lBu6YXfc
— Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) August 29, 2022
Senator Marco Rubio’s spokesperson said that Rubio and his wife ‘extended their condolences’ to Special Agent Perez. Rubio’s spokesperson noted that Perez was “a veteran & dedicated member of law enforcement who served his nation & community honorably.”
Sen. Rubio & Mrs. Rubio extend their condolences to the family & friends of @FDLE Special Agent Jose Perez following his tragic passing. Agent Perez was a veteran & dedicated member of law enforcement who served his nation & community honorably. We will never forget his heroism. https://t.co/mPikmOCHL9
— Senator Rubio Press (@SenRubioPress) August 22, 2022
It is not clear if Senator Rubio was able to attend Special Agent Perez’s funeral.
Retired El Portal Police Chief David Magnusson, who worked with Perez when he was a part of the Miami Police Department, said that Perez’s passing hurt law enforcement across South Florida.
“With law enforcement being a large family, it’s affecting just a whole group of this — what I call this calling. I don’t even call it a career — it’s a calling. And there’s a lot of people hurt,” Magnusson said.
Additional stories you may want to read:
Small but Mighty: Twitter Account Florida Research is Making Waves
Rest in peace FDLE Special Agent Jose Perez
