Lovers and colleagues gathered Saturday to pay tribute to one of the FBI agents murdered by a suspected child pornographer in Florida.
Laura Schwartzenberger, 43, was shot dead in Tuesday’s morning attack when the suspect ambushed police while looking for a warrant for his home in Sunrise. A second officer, Daniel Alfin, was also killed and three other officers were injured.
The suspect, David Lee Huber, 55, subsequently committed suicide, police said.
Schwartzenberger of Pueblo, Colorado, had worked at the agency since 2005. She worked on crimes against child cases for over seven years. She leaves behind a husband and two children.
Hundreds attended the memorial service at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, with several speakers and a pipe-and-drum corps.
FBI Director Christopher Wray called her a “real American hero.”
He said Schwartzenberger was devoted to her family. A member of the agency’s dive team, while working in New Mexico, she became the first female member of the SWAT team in Albuquerque, CBS 12 Miami reported.
Friends recalled good times from camping trips to backyard barbecues in comments during the emotional service.
“She tackled everything at full speed and never slowed down, even when she crossed the finish line,” said her friend Brenda Chavez. Laura, you’ve blessed the life of every person you’ve touched. We will never forget you.”
Schwartzenberger and Alfin’s names will be added to the Wall of Honor at FBI headquarters in Washington.