Viewing For Slain Officers Sunday
LIBERTY CITY (CBS4) – A ribbon cutting turned into a somber gathering of people who came to honor two fallen Miami-Dade police officers Saturday.
Initially set to be the official opening of a new, state-of-the-art medical facility in Liberty City, those who attended the ribbon cutting paused to remember Thursday's tragedy that ended in the shooting death of three people.
Dead are veteran police officers Amanda Haworth and Roger Castillo, and the man they tried to arrest, Johnny Simms.
Mayor Thomas Regalado said everyone needs to support the police, and vowed to do so.
"We will support law enforcement in the fight against crime," he said. "The City of Miami is their partner, not their enemy."
The community is coming together by offering donations to the Dade County Police Benevolent Association's Love Fund, which helps families of officers who either have been killed in the line of duty or have loved ones in crisis.
As those donations come in, Gov. Rick Scott has asked that all government flags be flown at half-staff Monday in honor of the slain officers.
A viewing is scheduled for Sunday at Vista Funeral Home, 14200 NW 57th Ave. in Miami Lakes. Doors will be open to the public from 7 pm to midnight.
On Monday a joint memorial service is set to begin at 11 a.m. at the American Airlines Arena in downtown Miami, and also is open to the public.
The officers died Thursday as they attempted to serve a warrant.
Dade County Police Benevolent Association is continuing to collect tax-deductable donations for their families.
"We're all in mourning, we feel for the family," PBA President Sgt. John Rivera told CBS4 Friday. "It was their duty to serve and it's ours to remember."
Officer Roger Castillo leaves a wife and three pre-teen children, while Officer Amanda Haworth, a single mother, leaves behind one child.
Many describe Haworth as a cop's cop, a dedicated professional who did her job and loved her 13-year-old son, Austin. Officer Castillo is remembered as an outgoing officer who often talked about his family and took pride in the accomplishments of his three children.
Speaking to the media Friday, Amanda's stepmother Diane Haworth was overcome with emotion.
"She was like a daughter to me. She meant the world to me. She had so much love and so much to give and she didn't waste one moment not sharing that and, I'm sorry." Haworth wept.
"This is what she wanted to do, she did it well and we are going to miss her quite a bit," said her father Robert Haworth. "She loved police work. She loved her son. She was a tremendous athlete a great mother, wonderful daughter and we're going to miss her terribly."
Amanda's lifelong friend and partner Sgt. Rosie Diaz issued a statement describing Amanda as her longtime companion.
"She was much more than a dedicated officer that to those who were fortunate enough to share her on a personal level," Diaz wrote in a statement. "She was compassionate and giving, and if you were lucky enough to have her as a friend, there wasn't anything she wouldn't do for you. She was a sister and a daughter and she was my companion for over ten years."
The family of Officer Roger Castillo also had the heart wrenching task of telling his three children what happened.
"His children have moments when they're crying and then they show more strength. He was a happy man who loved his family," said cousin Madelynn De Los Cueto. "He played basketball with them and he had a four-wheeler and we would boat together and he did everything with them. And if he got home late, he would play one basketball game."
If you would like to help, please make your checks payable to The Dade County PBA Love Fund, earmarked for Officers Castillo and Haworth in the memo section of your check. And mail it to 10680 NW 25 Street, Miami, FL 33172.
