'Celebration Of Life' Memorial Service Held For Fallen Miami-Dade Police Officer Jermaine Brown
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Friends, family and fellow officers said their final farewells to Miami-Dade police officer Jermaine Brown on Friday.
The funeral procession left the Caballero Funeral Home on SW 117th Avenue at 9:30 a.m.
It made its way to Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church on SW 184 Street for a Celebration of Life' memorial service.
Brown was killed on December 12th in an ATV crash while conducting an enforcement detail in Southwest Miami-Dade.
He was responding to assist other officers when his ATV struck a tree south of the intersection of South Dixie Highway and SW 211th Street.
Brown's wife Jannene, a fellow police sergeant, with their children by her side, found it hard to say goodbye and make sense of the crash that took her husband's life.
"You can do all things, ride jet skis, so why in the world would you have a problem with an ATV? So get up my love, I'm waiting my love, I keep trying to tell them this is not my reality," she said. "I'm sitting here waiting for you to walk through that door. Our son's name is Justice because you were my justice. God blessed me with you, I always told you, now I can't find you and I'm looking for you. We've never been apart so I'm looking for you, to lay on your chest and listen to your heart. This's is not my reality."
She, like many who knew Brown, remembered him as a dedicated husband, father, and officer who loved his community.
"You did it babe, God promoted you for all your good works, good job babe. Your wings are huge, so huge they move in slow motion, I'm so proud of you. Well done," said Jannene Brown.
"It's impossible to wrap our minds around the fact that he is no longer here, that he is not just there around the corner, ready to come to our aid, ready to come and spread a bit more of his joy, his own unique sunshine," said Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez.
Miami Dade Police Director Juan Perez choked back tears as he remembered his fallen officer as a man with a calling to protect his community.
"He left this place better. He made an impact, he left a lasting impression," he said.
Perez pledged to stand with his family.
"Let's rise up. Let's show support. We want to mend that blue line, together with you. We will mend it for. We are united as one," he said to cheers.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Honor Flag arrived in Miami to be flown during services for Brown.
Since 2011, the U.S. Honor Flag has paid tribute to those who have lost their lives in the line of duty. The flag has become a national treasure to millions, honoring thousands of first responders and active-duty personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice in service of country and their communities.
Brown had been a veteran of the force for 15 years. He is survived by his wife, also a police officer, and three children.
Brown was 46 years old.
