Authorities say that a Charles Herring, Pembroke Pines police officer who was on routine patrol and was involved in a crash early Thursday afternoon died.
Officials say that 54-year-old motorcycle officer Charles Herring died on the job after a crash on NW 184th Avenue, just south of Sheridan Street.
Herring was taken to Memorial Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Officials said that Herring had worked for Pembroke Pines for 22 years and had four kids. Officials say that his children and ex-wife were with him at the hospital. To help get the ambulance to the hospital, police blocked off intersections along the way.
“It just seems like an unfortunate tragedy,” said Pembroke Pines Police Chief Kipp Shimpeno. “Charlie was the most jolly guy you’d ever meet.”
“Charles touched pretty much everyone in this agency and so many people in this community,” says the Chief. “We lost a hero.”
Shimpero said that a palm frond hit Herring, making him lose control of his bike and crash. The officer’s motorcycle was lying on its side in the middle of the road, with pieces of it all over.
NW 184 Avenue was closed between Johnson Street and NW 23rd Street for several hours while the accident was being looked into. Drivers were told to stay away.
The Lighthouse Point PBA said in a social media post-
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends and the Pembroke Pines Police Department on the loss of Motorman Charles Herring.”
Dozens of police officers walked the casket with Herring’s body in it to the medical examiner’s office Thursday afternoon.
“As we know, being a motorcycle officer is dangerous on a good day,” said Rod Skirvin, president of the Broward PBA. “And this just highlights how dangerous this can be. This was a tragic accident and all law enforcement officers are affected because of this tragic crash in the roadway.”
As per the report, Skirvin told CBS4’s Peter D’Oench-
“This pulls at everyone’s heart. This could have been any one of us during any day. From those in dive teams to K-9 units to detectives to those serving warrants to those on everyday patrol, you never know what obstacles there are that can take our lives.”
Fellow police officers were sad to hear about Herring’s death.
“He was a jolly guy and big guy and very friendly,” Skirvin said. “This pulls at everyone’s heart and affects every one of us and those who serve every single and know how dangerous the job can be.”
Funeral arrangements for Herring were pending. Herring is the first Pembroke Pines PD officer to die on the job.
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