Valor Awards
ALL FOR MIKAYLA CONTINUED FROM PAGE 39
(MADD) statewide recognition ceremony at Rutgers University,
where they were honored for their story.
These honors certainly brought out the proud mom in Mimi,
but it also elated the proud law enforcement officer in her as well.
She celebrated the recognition that the story brought to support
the children of officers lost in the line of duty, but Mimi knew the
impact was even bigger.
“I’m happy it took off the way it did, not just for my daughter,
but for law enforcement,” explained Mimi, who accompanied
Local 389 to the Valor Awards. “It was such a boost in morale to let
the guys know that people don’t really hate us. They might think
they do, but they got such great feedback that it let everybody
know.”
Local 389 continues to make as many days as possible as spe-
cial as April 24 for Mikayla. They went to all her softball games
during the summer, and it’s a good bet they will be there for every
event up to Mikayla’s high school graduation. Maybe even her
wedding. Mimi wanted to bring Mikayla to the Valor Awards, but
she said the event ran too late into the night to keep her daughter
up.
The members have also welcomed Mimi in as if it was her Lo-
cal. In fact, nobody might have been more excited to hear that
Jamesburg was named Local of the Year than Mimi.
“I love it. I love it,” she exclaimed. “When my PBA delegate
called me up and told me Jamesburg was being honored for what
they did for Mikayla, I actually cried because I was like, for once,
they are getting honored.”
As President Colligan noted, Local 389 wasn’t getting honored
40
NEW JERSEY COPS
■ DECEMBER 2017
Mikayla threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Yankees game on
July 25.
for the hard work its members had done; there are so many Lo-
cals that did so much of that this past year that would also have
been worthy of being honored. It was the great work the Local
did, inspired, as he said, by “a little girl who never forgot her dad.”
That little girl has left a lasting impression that will never fade.
“She’s a beautiful, special, big-hearted little girl who is so gen-
erous and kind,” Burzachiello reminded. “When we found out,
everybody’s heart was touched. And we are so happy it snow-
balled into something so big.” d