A memorial service to honor a fallen Miami Beach police officer is being held this Wednesday at Hard Rock Stadium.
Officer David Cajuso, 33, died after crashing his patrol motorcycle on Oct. 28 at I-75 and Gratigny Parkway, near Hialeah Gardens.
Authorities said no other vehicle was involved, and the cause of the crash remains under investigation. The Florida Highway Patrol, the lead agency on the case, has reported no new developments.
David Cajuso remembered as “decorated hero”
Following the tragic incident, dozens of officers from several South Florida law enforcement agencies gathered to show their support for Cajuso’s family and his department.
Those who knew him said Cajuso was a gentle giant with a great sense of humor — a humble man, loved like a brother by many of his fellow officers — and passionate about serving his community.
During a press conference outside the hospital where Cajuso died, Miami Beach Police Chief Wayne Jones called him a “decorated hero” who had been with the department for 10 years. He asked for prayers for Cajuso’s wife and three young children, aged 2, 3, and 5.
Funeral arrangements
Cajuso’s funeral was scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on Nov. 12. A procession preceded the ceremony, which departed from Vista Memorial Gardens funeral home at about 8:30 a.m., traveling to Miami Beach Police Headquarters and ending at Hard Rock Stadium.
Miami Beach PD said the service at Hard Rock Stadium is open to the public. Guests are asked to park at Gate 11 and enter through the Southwest Entrance. Doors open at 9 a.m.
“He will be deeply missed.”
As community members and law enforcement from across Florida arrived to honor Cajuso, those in leadership and his close friends shared their thoughts and memories with CBS News Miami.
Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner expressed his support for the fallen officer, saying his city will always stand behind the police.
“This is a day you pray never happens, unfortunately, we lost motorman David Cajuso,” Meiner said. He called the outpouring of support “tremendous.”
Miami Beach Police Spokesperson Christopher Bess reflected on his friendship with Cajuso.
“To know David was to love David,” Bess said. “He had no bad bone in his body. His smile just lit up the room. And I will miss him immensely. However, his family has gained about 6,000 additional family members.”
North Bay Village Police Chief Carlos Noriega, who’s also the former Miami Beach Police chief, told CBS News Miami that he’s never lost an officer while in leadership; however, he has experienced losing a partner while on duty.
“Losing one of our brothers and sisters in law enforcement is the hardest that we’re going to experience, and that’s saying a lot,” said Noriega.
He said the unity among law enforcement is for life.
