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Private Burial Follows Public Memorial For Slain Officers

MIAMI (CBS4) -- A private burial will take place for two slain Miami-Dade police officers following an emotional hours-long public memorial in downtown Miami.

The bodies of officers Roger Castillo and Amanda Haworth are being taken back to Vista Memorial Gardens in Miami Lakes. Road closures begin at the arena north on Biscayne Boulevard to I-395 west, then connect to I-95 north onto State Road 826 east to the Northwest 57th Avenue exit. The procession then will go south on Northwest 57th Avenue to the entrance of Vista Memorial Gardens Funeral Home.

At the funeral home, officer Rebeca Perez of the Miami-Dade Police Department told CBS4's Peter D'Oench, "It hurts us all because we are all brothers and sisters. This is a large family. We're the extended family. That's not just something we talk about that is something we feel. He was such a good person. A good husband to his wife and a good father. We pray we won't have to see something like this happen again."

Detective Roy Rutland agreed. "We are overwhelmed and we are thankful for the public's support, which has been amazing. I can't think of a better way of showing tribute to these warriors who loved doing what they are doing. They are family, and they were doing that one job of taking offenders and murderers off the streets," said Rutland. "You know the good guy is not supposed to die, and that is exactly what happened here. And we as a family in law enforcement are devastated."

Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez told the mourning officers during the memorial that in the days after the shooting he'd heard countless accolades from people describing Castillo and Haworth.

"Their bravery in the face of danger is unquestioned," Alvarez said.

Click here to read more about the tributes given to officers Castillo and Haworth at Monday's memorial.

Click here to learn more about how the South Florida community is reacting to the tragedy.

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