By Matthew DeFranks
Sun Sentinel
MIAMI— The Miami Marlins honored Michael Leonard, the Coconut Creek police officer who found and arrested Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooter Nikolas Cruz, during the fourth inning of Monday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Leonard tracked down Cruz, who killed 17 people and injured 17 others during the February school shooting, in Coral Springs about three miles away from Stoneman Douglas.
The recognition — which included Marlins pitcher Trevor Richards — was part of the Marlins’ Salute & Serve Mondays, when the team honors an active duty military member, a police officer and a first responder during an on-field ceremony.
https://twitter.com/CreekFamilyPD/status/1011419189381300225
The gesture was the latest from the Marlins towards the MSD community.
The team invited the school’s baseball and softball teams to spring training in Jupiter in February. The Marlins wore Stoneman Douglas hats during spring training, and held Stoneman Douglas Day in April, offering free tickets to students and faculty.
Marlins Park also hosted a game between the Stoneman Douglas and Coral Springs baseball teams in April.
Last week, the NHL and the Panthers honored MSD’s hockey team at the league’s annual award show.
©2018 the Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)