The four Miami-Dade police officers who were charged in connection with the death of UPS driver Frank Ordóñez and a bystander during a shootout with jewelry store robbers on December 5, 2019, have surrendered. Richard Santiesteban, José Mateo, and Leslie Lee each face a charge of involuntary manslaughter. Meanwhile, Rodolfo Miramar has been charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter for the deaths of Ordóñez and 70-year-old Richard Cutshaw, who was driving home at the time. Both victims were caught in the crossfire between the officers and the robbers, according to Telemundo 51.
The officers were indicted earlier this month, four and a half years after the armed robbery of Regent Jewelry on Miracle Mile and the subsequent hijacking of a UPS truck by the robbers. The incident ended in a dramatic police chase and shootout that resulted in the deaths of two innocent people and the assailants.
The Ordóñez family filed a civil lawsuit against the authorities, but in August 2022, a Broward County judge ruled that they could not sue due to sovereign immunity. After learning that the four officers would face criminal charges, Luz Apolinario Merino, Ordóñez's mother, told América TeVé by phone, "There was no need for this to happen, for my son and that gentleman to lose their lives..." The grieving mother expressed that she is "waiting for a fair trial, hoping that every judge involved that day puts their hand on their heart and feels the pain of a mother who lost her son. I saw him die on television."
At the same time, Ordóñez's stepfather, Joe Merino, told the news channel that the charges against the officers are "surprising after four and a half years" and emphasized, "Finally, there is some progress. I won't say there is justice yet because I still haven't seen it in this tunnel."
Key Questions About the Frank Ordóñez Case
The case involving the death of Frank Ordóñez has raised several important questions about police conduct, legal immunity, and the pursuit of justice. Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers.
What charges are the Miami-Dade officers facing?
Richard Santiesteban, José Mateo, and Leslie Lee each face a charge of involuntary manslaughter. Rodolfo Miramar has been charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter for the deaths of Frank Ordóñez and Richard Cutshaw.
Why was the Ordóñez family's civil lawsuit dismissed?
A Broward County judge ruled in August 2022 that the family could not sue due to sovereign immunity, which protects government entities from certain legal actions.
What happened during the December 5, 2019, incident?
The incident involved an armed robbery at Regent Jewelry on Miracle Mile, followed by the hijacking of a UPS truck. The robbers led police on a chase that ended in a shootout, resulting in the deaths of two innocent people, including Frank Ordóñez, and the robbers.