Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) was scheduled to headline New York gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin’s (R-NY) $25,000 per plate fundraising dinner Sunday night, but DeSantis bowed out. Zeldin’s spokesperson said that DeSantis’ absence was due to an “unforeseen tragedy” but that the popular Florida governor would join Zeldin at a future event.
However, the Epoch Times and the New York Post reported the Republican governor skipped the event to attend the memorial service of a law officer. The service on Monday honored Jose Perez, a Florida Department of Law Enforcement officer killed in the line of duty.
Perez was struck by a vehicle driven by Ysmael Sandoval, 35, in Miami on August 2 as he responded to a call in an unmarked car. Perez died on August 20.
Sandavol was allegedly charged with DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide. According to arrest reports, blood tests showed a blood alcohol level of .146; Florida’s legal limit is .08. Sandoval also tested positive for cocaine and marijuana.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement tweeted their loss following Perez’s passing.
FDLE mourns the passing of FDLE Special Agent Jose Perez, who died in the line of duty after valiantly fighting for his life for 17 days after being hit by another driver. pic.twitter.com/qH5SWFnONo
— FDLE (@fdlepio) August 21, 2022
“FDLE mourns the passing of FDLE Special Agent Jose Perez, who died in the line of duty after valiantly fighting for his life for 17 days after being hit by another driver.” Perez had served as a law enforcement officer for over 30 years.
Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis tweeted her condolences.
Today we mourn the tragic loss of FDLE Special Agent Jose Perez, who died in the line of duty. With over 20 years in the U.S. armed forces & more than 30 years in law enforcement, he lived a valiant life serving our nation & state. The entire @fdlepio community is in our prayers. pic.twitter.com/uLabr70SJh
— Casey DeSantis (@CaseyDeSantis) August 29, 2022
“Today, we mourn the tragic loss of FDLE Special Agent Jose Perez, who died in the line of duty. With over 20 years in the U.S. armed forces & more than 30 years in law enforcement, he lived a valiant life serving our nation & state. The entire @fdlepio community is in our prayers.”
