Our Family Responds to Unfair, One-Sided Portrayals of Late Lauderhill Police Officer Eli Rodgers in Recent News Reports

PRESS RELEASE

Family of the Late Lauderhill Police Officer Eli Rodgers Responds to One-Sided, Unfair Portrayals in Recent News Reports

Family Media Contact:
C. Andy Rowe III, andy.rowe.iii@gmail.com

LAUDERHILL, Fla. – The family of the late Officer Eli Rodgers issued this statement

“Our family suffered the heartbreaking loss of Officer Eli Rodgers, an Iraq War veteran and a hero to all of us, more than a year ago. Now we are suffering again, because of scathing and unfair portrayals of Eli in recent news reports.

“The reports did shed light on apparent unethical behavior by ex-officers and others who helped to push Eli over the edge. But slanderous falsehoods made by these ‘officers’ to save their own skin were made public, with no opportunity given to us, Eli’s family, to respond. Most importantly, there was no mention of the good things Eli accomplished in his career and his life.

“Our family knows what a great officer Eli was. He lived his live in service of others, in Iraq and here in South Florida. He was an American Hero. Eli’s love of children, and respect for the elderly and hard-working people was quite obvious to everyone who met him.

“We know in our hearts that had the Lauderhill Police Department handled its investigation more humanely and professionally, our dear Eli would still be with us here today. To know that Eli had felt so helpless still breaks our hearts, and the hearts of his extended family and good friends throughout the country.

“Our hope is that the real truth will eventually, one day, come to light, and Officer Eli Rodgers’ good name will finally be cleared.”

— The Rodgers Family and Friends

###