Miami-Dade Police along with family and friends memorialized Kendall District Officer Giovanni Gonzalez in two ceremonies on Tuesday, Apr. 13. Stationed in Kendall the past year, Officer Gonzalez was killed in the line of duty as the result of a county vehicle crash on June 16, 2009, while assigned to a midnight shift of the Kendall District’s Priority Service Squad.
The Roll Call Room at the Kendall District Station on SW 117th Avenue was dedicated in memory of Gonzalez during a special ceremony conducted by fellow officers at 10:30 a.m. Later the same morning, fellow officers and other department members gathered at the corner of SW 76 Street and 117th Avenue to witness placement of a new street designation sign, renaming the street in his honor.
Miami-Dade Commissioner Javier D. Souto, who arranged the tribute, presented a memorial flag to Officer Gonzalez’s family during the street renaming ceremony.
Born in Miami, Gonzalez graduated from Coral Gables Senior High School in 2004 and from Western Nebraska Community College.
He returned to Miami to begin his career with Miami-Dade Police in November 2006, and following his graduation from the Police Academy was assigned to the Kendall District where he served in the Uniform Patrol and Priority Service Unit.
The plaque commemorating his service noted that, “despite his lamentably short law enforcement career, Officer Gonzalez received eight commendations for good police work, professionalism and assistance, including a community Friendship Circle Walk.”
Officer Gonzalez is survived by his wife, Priscilla Zaldivar; his parents, Elaine Valdvivia and Leandro Gonzalez; a brother, Giosley Gonzalez, as well as other relatives, friends, and his extended law enforcement family.
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