Visitation held for BSO deputy

Deputy Daniel Rivera died after injuries sustained in I-95 crash

POMPANO BEACH, Fla. – A visitation was held Thursday for a Broward Sheriff's Office deputy who died as a result of injuries he sustained when his cruiser veered off I-95 and hit a tree on Sept. 11.

Two visitations for 32-year-old Daniel Rivera, who died over the weekend, were held at First Baptist Church of Pompano Beach. Deputies and firefighters arrived with shirts soaked by the rain to remember him.

His casket was draped with an honor flag, which marks line-of-duty deaths nationwide.

"He was full of vigor, a very active deputy, and it's certainly very tragic for us to deal with his loss," said BSO Major John Hale. "Daniel was very, very motivated in his career. He actually started with New York City Police Department as an auxiliary officer."

Rivera began with the NYPD, then joined BSO. He was also in the process of becoming a reserve firefighter.

"He was a very warm, loveable person. He really was," said Edythe Lamb with BSO.

"Even though this is something we deal with from time to time, it never gets easier. [It's a] difficult time for us," added Hale.

The funeral will be held at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale, 2401 W. Cypress Creek Road, at 11 a.m. Friday. The burial at Our Lady Queen of Heaven, 1400 S.R. 7, North Lauderdale, will follow the funeral.

Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to call the Broward Sheriff's Office Traffic Homicide unit at 654-321-4840.