Two Florida deputies, who had a newborn son together, were laid to rest on Saturday after they took their own lives within days of each other.
Deputy Clayton Osteen and Deputy Victoria Pacheco were laid to rest side-by-side in American flag-covered caskets in a solemn funeral attended by grieving family, friends and dozens of their fellow officers with the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office in Florida who saluted their coffins as they passed by.
'Clayton and Victoria were laid to rest side-by-side this afternoon,' family friend Kelly Riddle posted online after emotional family and friends said their goodbyes to the couple. 'Tonight we celebrate and share memories. Sunday we rest. Monday begins to the work of making sure this never happens again. Love and peace to all.'
The couple's son Jayce, who was left orphaned by their suicides, will be adopted by a 'close relative', Riddle revealed in a previous post.
Osteen's brother, Zack Osteen, currently has taken custody of the baby, according to a Facebook post fellow police office Matthew Fagiana, a patrol sergeant in Tennessee. It is not known if Osteen's brother will be the adoptive parent.
In the post, Fagiana called on the community to help collect basic items for baby Jayce, such as diapers, wipes, formula and gift cards.
'Let’s do what cops do best and help a brother, a blue family, out,' the post read. 'Let’s show Baby Jayce what kind of family he was born into.'
He later posted an update that there had been enough formula collected to last for over a year.
The sheriff's office posted photos of the service to their Facebook page, along with a heartfelt message by Sheriff Ken Mascara.
The post read, 'Today we say goodbye to our brother and sister, Deputy Clayton Osteen and Deputy Victoria Pacheco. May you rest in peace.'
'We greatly appreciate the outpouring of support and love from our fellow law enforcement agencies and the community.'
The sheriff's office posted photos of the somber service to their Facebook page, along with a heartfelt message by Sheriff Ken Mascara: 'Today we say goodbye to our brother and sister, Deputy Clayton Osteen and Deputy Victoria Pacheco. May you rest in peace'
The couple was laid to rest side-by-side on Saturday, January 8 after they both took their own lives within days of each other, leaving their six-week-old son orphaned
Donations and tributes have since piled in for Baby Jayce, including a GoFundMe account that has since raised over $112,000 as of Monday morning
The solemn funeral was attended by family, friends and dozens of their fellow officers with the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office in Florida who saluted their coffins as they passed by
The pair had worked at the department for over a year together with Osteen starting in 2019 and Pacheco in 2020
The tragedy began on New Year's Eve, when Osteen attempted suicide shortly before midnight. The 24-year-old died two days later in hospital.
His girlfriend Victoria Pacheco, 23, took her own life on January 4.
Donations and tributes have since poured in from friends and family members as well as from a GoFundMe page that has raised over $112,000 as of Monday.
The St. Lucie Sheriff’s Office is rallying to raise money and day to day basics to help raise baby Jayce, (pictured) including accepting essentials like diapers, wipes, gift cards to baby stores and food stores
Baby Jayce Osteen is being adopted by a 'close relative' after his parents died by suicide within days of each other
The infant's parents Clayton Osteen (left) and Victoria Pacheco (right) killed themselves last week within days of each other. Osteen attempted suicide on December 31 and was taken off life support by his family two days later. Pacheco took her own life on January 4
Baby Jayce was born on November 22 and was only six weeks old at the time of his parent's death
'The families of Clayton and Victoria are so grateful for all prayers and support received,' Ridle said on the page. 'All donations will be used for enriching Jayce's life experiences and securing a brighter future.'
'Clayton and Victoria were joy-filled, first-time parents
