Community Mourns After Miami-Dade Deputy Devin Jaramillo Killed in the Line of Duty
SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) – Prayers and condolences continue to pour in from the community following the tragic death of a Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputy who was shot and killed while responding to a traffic accident last week.
“He was somebody’s son, somebody’s brother, a friend, a cousin. I send my condolences out to the family,” said a woman visiting the memorial for the fallen deputy at the MDSO Kendall station.
Twenty-seven-year-old Deputy Devin Jaramillo died after, authorities say, he was brutally attacked and shot with his own gun during a confrontation at the scene of a traffic crash near a warehouse by Southwest 128th Street and 122nd Avenue last Friday.
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office confirmed the shooter, later identified as 21-year-old Steven Rustrian, turned the gun on himself afterward.
In the days following the incident, the community gathered alongside several of Jaramillo’s fellow officers at the site of the shooting to honor his life and mourn his tragic death.
“It breaks our heart, you know, I work down the street and it’s awful, it’s awful,” said a man who works near the scene.
Jaramillo’s squad car has been parked outside the sheriff’s Kendall district substation, serving as a shrine to his service and sacrifice.
“I feel very terrible. He’s a great gentleman, was a Coral Gables Police officer. I feel bad because his career was just starting. It really is killing me inside,” said Angel Estefan, who brought flowers to place by Jaramillo’s cruiser.
Among those paying their respects was Joeli Cruz, one of the first responders who attempted to save Jaramillo’s life. Cruz wanted to assure everyone that the deputy was not alone in his final moments as they desperately tried to help him.
“I just really want them to know I tried my best, we all did. It was a team effort. Me, riding along with Rescue 53, the whole station, we did what we could and we hoped for the best,” Cruz said.
From law enforcement officers and emergency responders to friends and strangers who never got the chance to meet Jaramillo, the community has joined hands to mourn the loss of such a young man whose life was cut short.
“Everyone is coming together, I just wish the circumstances were different,” Cruz added.
The memorial for Deputy Jaramillo at the scene of the shooting will be moved to the Kendall district substation on Tuesday evening.
Funeral arrangements for Deputy Jaramillo are still pending.
