VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - The Virginia Beach Police Department is mourning the loss of one of their own, Master Police Officer Dave Nieves.
VBPD confirmed on Facebook Tuesday afternoon that Nieves passed away while surrounded by family on February 1.
Rest in Peace, Officer Nieves. We will take it from here.
— Virginia Beach PD (@VBPD) February 1, 2022
Master Police Officer, Dave Nieves passed away while surrounded by family on February 1, 2022. pic.twitter.com/uJBVjXoY3C
Nieves joined the department in July 1995. Before that, he served the nation as a member of the U.S. Navy.
During his 26-year tenure, Nieves was assigned to a variety of commands, including the Community Liaison Officer for the 2nd Precinct.
The department said Nieves cemented his legacy through his commitment to connecting with the community. Those who knew him said he will be remembered for many things, but mostly his laugh and easygoing demeanor. He was also a loving husband and a father.
Nieves' focus was to connect with the community. In 2021, News 3 spoke to Nieves as he walked around several neighborhoods to recruit new officers as part of an effort called Toy Ride Along. Its goal was to give children a chance to get acquainted and comfortable with the Virginia Beach Police Department.
"I thought it was a great idea. I was like, 'Let’s do it,'” Nieves told News 3. “I wanted to do it right there and then!"
READ: Virginia Beach Police look to get children acquainted with department with a toy ride-along
MPO Jasan Karangelen worked with Nieves in the Community Engagement Unit. When talking about his level of energy, he said, "It was contagious and would get you amped up to be more energetic and engage the community at different events."
"He was definitely an asset to the Virginia Beach Police Department and he will be greatly missed," Karangelen added. "Everyone he has worked with or touched in some way, you know their life has been changed because of him."
Nieves worked on security training at area churches. Frank Day of Saint John's Baptist Church said his work was beneficial for his faith-based community and that Nieves brought a sense of humor to such a dark topic.
"You can’t help but like him. He just had that big, friendly personality," Day said.
Nieves was also very active and supportive of the Hispanic community from helping with recruiting officers to organizing a Spanish-speaking Citizens Police Academy.
Olga Torres Baker, Community Relations Director for La Selecta Radio sent the following statement.
"Officer Nieves was a kind soul. He understood the importance of engaging the Hispanic community on behalf of the VBPD and was dedicated to visiting families in underserved areas to deliver toys and goods to the children and families in those communities. I want to believe he had a lot more things planned for the future to continue to foster a relationship between these families and the VBPD. As a graduate of the first VBPD Hispanic Community Academy, I would encourage the first graduating class and future academy graduates to continue his work and make it a long-lasting legacy. This would be a wonderful way to honor his memory."
VBPD asks for the community to keep Nieves' family in their thoughts and prayers.
A GoFundMe account has been set up for his family. Click here for more information on that.
