Laura Schwartzenberger, 43, was one of two agents shot dead Tuesday.
Family and friends of Florida FBI agent Laura Schwartzenberger, who was shot dead with a colleague in the line of duty this week, gathered in honor of her for an emotional memorial service.
Schwartzenberger, 43, leaves behind her husband and two sons.
Schwartzenberger was “a true protector of those she loved and cared for,” Schwartzenberger’s girlfriend Brenda Chavez told mourners at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
To a dear friend, a loving wife, a courageous mother, an inspiring sister, a loving daughter who would make any parent proud, and to the greatest bad fact I know, Laura, you have blessed life of every person you touched, “she said.” We will never forget you. “
Schwartzenberger and agent Daniel Algin were shot dead Tuesday morning during an investigation in Sunrise, Florida. FBI Agents Association president Brian O’Hare said “evidence was taken regarding the suspicion of possession of child pornography”. Three other agents were injured. According to the FBI, the suspect died from a self-inflicted shot.
Schwartzenberger joined the FBI in 2005.
In 2007, she became the first and only female SWAT team member in the FBI’s Albuquerque field office, Christopher Wray, director of the FBI, said during the service.
In 2010, Schwartzenberger transferred to Miami and joined the violent crimes against children, which was her ‘true calling,’ Wray said.
“She led a life of determination, dedication and courage,” Wray said, calling her “a true American hero.”
“She was brave in the pursuit of criminals … and she relied on her heart and compassion in smaller moments,” he said. “She brought light to some of the darkest places.”
“She was like a mother to some of the younger agents,” Wray said. ‘She expressed a quiet confidence and she instilled that confidence in everyone who worked on her affairs.
“She was an athlete in body and mind,” Wray said. ‘She has a sharp mental focus, endurance and a sense of teamwork and camaraderie, which has enabled her to move on, case after case and victim after victim.
“There’s a heaviness in our hearts, a burden unlike any other, because there’s nothing more devastating to the FBI family than the loss of an agent on duty,” Wray said. “This is the news we pray that it will never come. When it does, every FBI employee feels it deep in their soul.”
Wray said Schwartzenberger and Alfin were “two warriors who took on one of the most difficult positions in the FBI – crimes against children”, calling them “two of the very best the FBI could offer.”
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said flags will be flown at half-staff on Saturday and Sunday in honor of Schwartzenberger and Alfin.
“Their sacrifice and courage will never be forgotten,” DeSantis tweeted.
Schwartzenberger was a native of Pueblo, Colorado. The Colorado government, Jared Polis, on Saturday ordered flags to be flown at public buildings with half-staff.
A memorial service for Alfin will be held Sunday.