Funeral Services Set For Former Broward Sheriff Nick Navarro
FORT LAUDERDALE (CBS4) – Funeral services have been arranged for Nick Navarro, the colorful Broward Sheriff who served two terms from 1985-1993.
A viewing will be held Sunday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at First Baptist Church at 301 E. Broward Blvd. in downtown Fort Lauderdale. The funeral service will be held at the church on Monday, at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Lauderdale Memorial Park, 2001 SW 4th Ave. in Fort Lauderdale.
Navarro, who had been struggling with colon cancer, died Wednesday at age 81.
Navarro will be remembered for a long, distinguished law enforcement career, serving as a federal narcotics agent and a tough-minded Broward Sheriff.
His terms leading BSO are marked by a dedication to cleaning up Broward's streets of drugs and other crimes, transforming BSO into a nationally recognized law enforcement agency and battling with rap group 2 Live Crew.
Navarro also played an integral role in the pioneering TV show, "Cops", by allowing BSO deputies to be filmed fighting crime for the show's first season.
According to BSO, Navarro is credited with taking the agency with 1,600 employees and a $74 million budget, to more than 3,000 employees and a $200 million budget at the end of 1992. During his term, three Broward cities signed on for service from BSO deputies and staff.
Navarro is also recognized as the Steering Committee Chairman for the multi-agency Blue Lightning Task Force, Chairman of the Florida Sheriffs Association's Anti-Crack Task Force and Vice-President of the International Narcotics Enforcement Officers Association. He is also credited with using his drug expertise to gain national recognition for the department. Navarro started his own security firm, the Fort Lauderdale-based Navarro Group, after losing a re-election bid in 1993.
He is survived by his wife Sharron Navarro.
