Southwest Kendall 162 Avenue will now be remembered as Officer Cesar “Echy” Echeverry Junior Way. This is the community where he grew up and a short walk from Ferguson High School where he attended.
Officer Cesar Echeverry’s mother and fiancée wept as they unveiled the road sign in his honor after he lost his life in the line of duty.
The Miami-Dade police officer was shot dead in August last year while trying to arrest a robbery suspect.
The emotional ceremony in West Kendall was attended by Echy’s loved ones, colleagues from the Robbery Response Unit, Miami Dade Police Superintendent, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez and other local and state leaders .
The event attracted dozens of officers from different departments, and even several police helicopters flew over the area.
The Ferguson High School baseball team also attended the ceremony at 56th Street Southwest and 162nd Avenue. Echeverry once played baseball for the same team.
Officer Echy’s fiancée, Stephanie Vargas, spoke through tears at the ceremony. She said renaming this street won’t bring her back, but it will always remind them that it was the main road she used to carry out her daily activities.
Miami-Dade County Commissioners Roberto González and Kionne McGee sponsored legislation that paved the way in renaming this street. They say it’s a way to always remember the name of this fallen hero.