FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla – Hundreds of family members, friends and fellow deputies poured into the First Baptist Church in Fort Lauderdale on Monday to honor and remember legendary Broward County Sheriff Nick Navarro, who lost his battle with cancer last week.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Monday at The First Baptist Church of Fort Lauderdale, at 301 E. Broward Blvd. Navarro's wife, Sharron Navarro, made some brief remarks acknowledging those who came to pay their respects, including the men and women who wear a badge.
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"He loved all officers, and I want to say thank you, guys, for putting your lives on the line to keep our community safe. Thank you, thank you, thank you," Sharron Navarro said.
Former BSO Undersheriff Ed Werder also spoke.
"Nick lived a life with energy, enthusiasm and honesty. He was, after all, his own person who worked unselfishly to improve the lives of people, many of whom he never met," Werder said.
"He was an absolute expert at devising strategies to combat organized crime -- in particular, large-scale drug trafficking. No one could touch him," said former Broward County Sheriff and former Attorney General Bob Butterworth.
Current Broward County Sheriff Al Lamberti described his friend and former colleague as "invincible, immortal, generous, larger than life, professional, honest, respected, a teacher."
Perhaps the most moving moment came when entertainer and friend Kay Stevens took to the microphone and sang a medley of songs, topped off with "God Bless America," that brought the crowd to tears.
"He just meant everything in the world to me and Broward County. He made Broward County safe," said family friend Kay Stevens.
Lamberti ended the program with some remarks.
"So Sheriff Nick Navarro, on behalf of all the men and women in this county, this state and this nation who have ever held the title of sheriff," Lamberti said, raising his right hand to his forehead. "On their behalf, I salute you."
Navarro's Leaves Crime-Fighting Legacy
In the 1980s, Navarro was the head of the Broward Sheriff's Office, where he doubled the force, doubled the budget and focused much of time as the top cop tackling drugs and obscene music throughout the county.
"He was a cop's cop, and even being the sheriff, he was always on the front line, willing to be the first one through the door," Lamberti said. "Always, always lived for the Broward Sheriff's Office and it was probably the No. 1 thing in his mind, besides his wife, Sharron."
"He was one of the first people to go after drugs and gangs," said Jim Leljedal, of BSO.
Leljedal, who worked under Navarro for eight years, said Navarro was the guy you didn't say no to and was his inspiration to join BSO.
"He was somebody that we all admired, and I especially admired him," said Leljedal.
"He's done so much for so many people, and he's helped me," said Stevens.
Stevens still remembers the first time she met Navarro and said she knew instantly they would be great friends. It was an emotional day for many, a time to say a final goodbye.
"I think Broward County was made better and stronger and safer because of Nick Navarro," said Stevens.
Following the service, Navarro was buried at Lauderdale Memorial Park Cemetery at 2001 SW Fourth Avenue.
On Sunday, family, friends and fellow deputies gathered at the same church for a viewing.
"Nick will always be my sheriff. I loved him dearly. He did so many things for Broward County," Maureen Jacobson told Local 10.
"He meant a tremendous amount to the children and charities of this county. To everybody he touched, he meant something to them," said Sam Frusterio, who attended Navarro's viewing.
"He had great integrity and he was one of our best. The best of the best," said John Bauer.