Here’s how the community is remembering Frank Ordonez and helping his family
The family of UPS driver Frank Ordonez is holding a viewing Monday for the father of two — and relatives are opening the doors to anyone who wants to pay respects.
Ordonez, 27, was the UPS driver who was taken hostage by two armed robbers and later killed during a shootout with police in Miramar on Thursday. Richard “Rick” Cutshaw, a 70-year-old union representative from Pembroke Pines, also died in the crossfire, along with the two carjackers.
Ordonez’s viewing will be open to the community Monday from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tuesday, his brother Roy Ordonez announced on Facebook.
“Anybody that wants to pay their respect to my brother Frank is welcome and I mean ANYBODY,” Ordonez wrote. “Frank was a very outgoing, kind, and forgiving person and I know he had many friends, you are all welcome to come.”
The viewing will be held at Vior Funeral Home, 291 NW 37th Ave. in Miami.
Ordonez’s family has seen an outpouring of support from the community and on social media as they’ve struggled to process his death, which was captured by TV news helicopters and bystanders with smartphones during rush-hour traffic. Others have joined them in questioning the actions police took that day.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is also asking bystanders or anyone with “video from the shooting” to call the agency, which is tasked along with the FBI to investigate the chase and shooting that was broadcast live.
A memorial has begun to appear along the intersection of Flamingo Road and Miramar Parkway with flowers, stuffed animals and UPS and FedEx Boxes.
A GoFundMe page by Roy Ordonez to help with expenses has also raised more than $190,000 since it was created early Friday.
Members of the UPS community are also showing support for their co-worker.
UPS drivers across the country will park their truck and have a moment of silence with 4-way flashers on at 5 p.m. EST and 2 p.m. PST Monday in memory of the 27-year-old driver, according to Teamsters Local 769, Ordonez’s UPS union.
“Our deepest sympathies go to Frank’s family, friends and other innocent victims of this heartbreaking incident,” UPS tweeted Dec. 6. “We are providing assistance to the Ordonez family and counseling for Frank’s co-workers and employees in the Miami area. Please continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers in the days ahead.”
A group of UPS workers in London gathered together to send their thoughts to the fallen UPS worker’s family with the hashtag #OneUPS and “RIP Frank Ordonez.”
On Sunday night, family, friends and united at a UPS Customer Center to remember a man who has been described as a hardworking and caring father. Trucks with his picture and the words “Heaven gained a new angel” were recorded entering the facility.
WSVN also recorded a sports car covered with flowers and messages written on UPS slips.
A UPS union in New York City has also created a GoFundMe account to help cover expenses for Ordonez’s family.
If you plan to attend
What: Frank Ordonez’s viewing
When: 5 p.m. Monday to 1 a.m. Tuesday
Where: Vior Funeral Home, 291 NW 37th Ave. in Miami.
This story was originally published December 9, 2019 at 8:27 AM.
