Memorial Service Remembers Contributions of Slain Fort Lauderdale Workers
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
On February 16, nearly 1,000 people gathered in the Fort Lauderdale Performing Arts Center to commemorate the lives of five Fort Lauderdale Parks and Recreation employees gunned down by a former co-worker a week before. Families, friends, and well-wishers praised the contributions of those who were slain and expressed gratitude for the victims' commitment to their communities and loved ones.
Those killed were Joseph Belotto, 40; Mark Bretz, 36; Kenneth Brunjes, 46; Donald Moon Jr., 44; and Joseph "Tim" Clifford, 37. Lelan "Joe" Brookins, 43, is recuperating from three gunshot wounds.
All were, or are, members of AFSCME Local 532, except Clifford who was their supervisor.
On Friday, February 9, seven beach maintenance workers were in their blue and white beachside trailer, readying themselves for work. It had been over a year since their former co-worker Clifton McCree, a 17-year city employee, had lost his job. Shortly before 5 a.m., McCree, recently fired from another job, entered the trailer shooting two pistols. Nancy Ellers escaped unhurt out the back. Joe Brookins, wounded, feigned death to avoid being shot again. McCree killed the other five workers, then turned a pistol on himself.
AFSCME Local 532 Pres. Cathy Dunn and other members of Fort Lauderdale's community asked for a public memorial service commemorating not the tragic way in which these men died, but the good they did while living. For years these men were among those who kept Fort Lauderdale's beaches clean, usable, and beautiful enough to attract local residents and tourists by the hundreds of thousands.
AFSCME Pres. Gerald W. McEntee and Florida Council 79 Pres. Blondie Jordan, also an International vice president, took part in the memorial service. McEntee told mourners: "These men were creating beauty, and this is how they would want to be remembered. Life is much like the sea and the beach they tended. There is the pounding of the surf all day, the serene tranquility at night. But it is always there. We will miss these men but our lives are better today because they were here."
Fort Lauderdale's mayor and other city officials also attended the memorial. The city has joined Local 532 in seeking a full investigation of the incident.
Public Employee magazine had recently featured Fort Lauderdale beach maintenance workers, looking at their innovative and successful use of Total Quality Management principles in involving and empowering workers.
A trust fund has been established for the families of the victims. Contributions may be sent to the City of Fort Lauderdale Employee Memorial, Nationsbank, One Financial Plaza, Fort Lauderdale FL 33394.
