Nov 24, 2008 11:50 pm US/Eastern
Funeral Services Set For Officer Killed In Crash
HOLLYWOOD (CBS4) ―
Neighbors in the Sunshine Park neighborhood of Hollywood left flowers and a stuffed snowman in front of the home of police officer Alex Del Rio who died over the weekend in a deadly crash.
Neighbors like Betsey Dubois left small mementos for someone who died while protecting others.
"Here he was out protecting us and serving us and making sure that we stay safe on the streets and then for this to happen and take his life, it's very, very sad," said Dubois.
The 31 year old Del Rio lived by himself in the home just two miles east of where he died.
The 9 year veteran of the Hollywood Police Department had just completed a traffic stop when he apparently went after a motorist speeding east on Sheridan street. He lost control, slamming into a palm tree.
Cell phone video captured his car as it became engulfed in flames. While it is still unclear why he crashed, investigators believe he may have been trying to avoid a taxi cab in the road.
Carol Lovins said Del Rio worked the nightshift and had only lived at his home for about a year and a half. She says he always had a smile on his face.
"He was out there working the nightshift, working late and how this happened," said Lovins, "it doesn't make sense really."
A memorial viewing will be held Tuesday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Fred Hunter's Hollywood Memorial Gardens at 6301 Taft Street.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Calvary Chapel of Ft. Lauderdale at 2401 Cypress Creek Road. An intermet service will follow at Fred Hunter's Hollywood Memorial Gardens. A fund has been set up to assist Del Rio's family. Donations can be made through:
Broward County PBA Hope Fund - Alex Del Rio
Attn: Linda Brickman
2650 West State Road 84
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
(954) 584-7600
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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