LTC 298-2009 2009 International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Officer of the Year - Honorable Mention
OFFICE U` THE CfiY MANAGER ,~,
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Mayor Matti Herrera Bower and Members of the City Commission w
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FROnn: Jorge M. Gonzalez, City Manager
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onrE: October 29, 2009 i' ^'
SUBIFCT 2009 INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE (IACP)
OFFICER OF THE YEAR -HONORABLE MENTION
This Letter to the Cily Commission is to provide information on the selection of the Miami
Beach Police Department's Officer Larry Marrero for an Honorable Mention Award in the
2009 PARADE/IACP Officer of the Year program. Ten officers were selected to receive
honorable mention awards in recognition of their exceptional/heroic police work. Officer
Marrero was officially recognized earlier this month during the IACP's Annual Conference in
Denver, CO.
Officer Larry Marrero was selected for this prestigious honor based on his actions in
February 2009, which involved three separate incidents. The first incident occurred on
February 2, 2009, when Officer Larry Marcero (the only Marine Patrol Officer on-duty) saved
a suicidal individual who was attempting to drown himself. This individual jumped into the
turbulent water from the rocks at the South Pointe jetty and swam out towards the open
ocean. The victim was located by Officer Marrero approximately 300 yards out in the
Atlantic Ocean. Officer Marrero had to dive into the water and swim to the victim, before
pulling him back to the boat in very rough seas. Due to Officer Marrero s exceptional efforts
this victim in an emotional crisis was saved.
The second incident occurred on February 22, 2009 when a call was dispatched of an infant
with serious injuries near Monument Island. Officer Marrero (again the only Marine Patrol
Officer on-duty), coordinated amulti-agency response. He ensured that Fire-Rescue was
dispatched to 14'" Terrace and Bay Road so he could pick-up rescue medics and began
searching the waters near Monument Island for the vessel with the infant on board. Officer
Marrero located the vessel and the medics were able to stabilize the infant. Officer Marrero
transported all parties to the Marine Patrol dock for a subsequent transport via Fire Rescue
to Mt. Sinai Hospital.
The third incident involved a homicide which occurred on February 8, 1999. The subject,
W illiam Escbio Jr. was identified as a person of interest; however, without a confession from
Mr. Escbio, probable cause to arrest him For the homicide would not be obtained. Mr. Escbio
was able to elude Detective Marrero's efforts to find him and disappeared. Ten years later,
on February 26, 2009, the case was reopened by the newly created cold-case squad.
Reserve Sgt. William Godfrey developed a viable new lead with a possible location for Mr.
Escbio in the City of Miami. The subject was located and brought in for an interview with
Officer Marrero and Detective Gus Sanchez. After an exhausting seven hour interview, a
confession was obtained. Mr. Escbio was subsequently arrested and charged with first
degree murder.
It should be noted that this is the fourth time in recent history that a Miami Beach Police
Officer has been selected by the IACP for this prestigious honor. In addition to Officer
Marrero, the other three are as follows:
1997 Detective (currently Captain) Mark Causey and Detective (currently Sergeant}
Alberto Estraviz ;
. 2003 Sergeant Peter Smolyanski (currently retired);
. 2006 Detective Gustavo Sanchez.
Please join me in congratulating Officer Marrero for his extraordinary efforts on these three
cases and receiving this tremendous honor.
JMG:CNar