Detective says fallen Nassau County deputy was 'a friend and a brother'

Nassau County Deputy Eric Oliver's patrol car is sitting in front of the Sheriff's Office with balloons and flowers on the hood.

Another memorial stands on the side of State Road 200 where Deputy Oliver died while chasing a suspect.

His fellow brother in blue, Detective Tim Beazley, said it’s still unreal that Deputy Oliver is gone.

The two weren’t just coworkers. They were close friends as well.

“I was on my way to work when I got the call,” Beazley said. “They said I needed to get to Chester and [State Road] 200 and could hear it in my sergeant’s voice when he told me.

“I said,  ‘Is everything ok?’”And that's when I received the news,” Beazley said.

Beazley said his heart is also with Deputy Oliver’s 6-year-old girl.

“The Sheriff’s Office — his brothers will be there for her. That’s what he would want,” said Beazley.

Beazley said he wishes he had more time with his friend.

"I just spoke to him on the phone not too long ago and I wish, looking back on it ... the conversation would have lasted longer," Beazley said.

Nassau County resident Brenda Dwight said she met Deputy Oliver while working at Target.

“He does ‘Shop with a Cop” every year and I'm one of the coordinators of it,” said Dwight.

She said she is collecting money for his little girl.

“I'll present the check to the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office and they're going to give it to his family for future expenses for his daughter,” Dwight said.

Cox Media Group