Doral police officer found dead in apparent suicide in southwest Miami-Dade now identified

Doral police identified an officer who died on Wednesday, hours after deputies said they were investigating the discovery of a man's body in southwest Miami-Dade.

The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office confirmed that they responded to a call about an officer not responding in the area of Southwest 157th Avenue and Southwest 160th Street at around 6:30 a.m.

The officer was identified by an Instagram post from Doral Police as Officer Edwin Fernandez, who was a school resource officer at Downtown Doral Charter School. According to the post, he had served with the department since 2013.  

In the post, the department wrote: "It is with profound sadness that the Doral Police Department mourns the passing of Officer Erwin Fernandez. We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of kindness, prayers, and support from our community, neighboring agencies, and all those who have reached out during this difficult time."

The post goes on to ask people to "continue to keep Officer Fernandez's family, loved ones, and our Doral Police family in your thoughts and prayers, and kindly honor their privacy as they grieve." 

The post ended with a tribute to Officer Fernandez's work with the department, saying "His legacy will live on in the hearts of those who had the privilege of serving alongside him."

Earlier Wednesday, city officials in Doral also honored Fernandez, confirming his death after deputies found his body. 

"With a heavy heart, I join our community in mourning the profound loss we share (Wednesday) alongside the family, friends and fellow officers of one of our own from the Doral Police Department," Doral Mayor Christi Fraga said in a statement on Facebook. "Today, we say goodbye not only to an exceptional public servant, but to a man who wore his badge with integrity, humility, and an unwavering sense of duty."

The statement went on to say that his commitment to the community will "forever remain in our hearts."

Police escort ambulance to Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner's Office

Video showed countless first responders and investigators at the scene, and police officers riding motorcycles were seen escorting a  Miami-Dade Fire Rescue ambulance away from the area.

Police officers blocked off streets and roads as the ambulance moved through the area, and traffic was stopped on Florida's Turnpike and Dolphin Expressway.

Police officers and firefighters were seen lining the street near the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner's Office in Miami.

Law enforcement and other first responders saluted as the ambulance went by, and a large United States flag hung over the area.

Roads have since reopened, but the investigation is ongoing.