Fund Established For Families Of Slain Officers

The deaths of two Miami-Dade police officers last week in a Liberty City shoot out stunned South Florida and devastated those officers' families. Now two organizations are accepting donations to help those families now and in the future.

Officers Roger Castillo and Amanda Haworth were killed Thursday morning while serving a warrant for the arrest of Johnny Simms who was also killed in the gunfire.

A memorial service for Castillo and Haworth will be held Monday at the American Airlines Arena in downtown Miami.

Gov. Rick Scott has asked that all government flags be flown at half-staff Monday in honor of the slain officers and Mayor Thomas Regalado said everyone needs to support the police.

"We will support law enforcement in the fight against crime," he said. "The City of Miami is their partner, not their enemy."

Castillo leaves a wife and three pre-teen children, while Haworth, a single mother leaves behind a young son.

"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," said a tearful Haworth's stepmother Diane Haworth.

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.

"We're all in mourning, we feel for the family," said PBA President Sgt. John Rivera. "It was their duty to serve and it's ours to remember."

If you would like to help, please make your checks payable to The Dade County PBA Love Fund, with officers Castillo and Haworth names written in the memo section of the check. Donations should be mailed to 10680 NW 25 Street, Miami, FL 33172.

Also, a Trust Fund has been established for the families of Castillo and Haworth. Donations can be made online at the Police Officer Assistance Trust Fund (POAT) Website at www.poat.org. Alternately, checks made payable to "POAT" may be mailed to Police Officers Assistance Trust, 1030 NW 111 Avenue, Suite 232, Miami, Florida 33172. Please notate Officers Castillo/Haworth Trust Fund in the memo area of your check.