The NJ State PBA Trailer and the Boston PD Trailer were among the agencies and organizations providing support to the nearly 25,000 law enforcement officers who attended the funeral for NYPD Detective Miosotis Familia.
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“ We have to show love,” Mercedes implored.“ This has to stop. This has to stop. Please, if you see a police officer in blue, hug them and say,‘ Thank you.’ That’ s all she would have asked for.”
Inspector Philip P. Rivera, the commanding officer of the 46th Precinct where Familia was assigned, called on the city to make the Grand Concourse a Canyon of Heroes in honor of the officer he called“ Mio.” New York City Police Commissioner James O’ Neill, whose voice cracked several times, posthumously promoted Familia to detective and assured that Familia will forever be remembered as a hero, telling her children:
“ Nothing I can say will ever bring your mom back,” O’ Neill said.“ But I can make you this promise: Your mom didn’ t die in vain. Your mom’ s legacy will never fade from importance or memory.”
Pat Lynch, President of the New York Patrolmen’ s Benevolent Association, said the greatest tribute to Familia would be ensuring that officers remained safe and looking after her family.
“ We will take care of them,” Lynch promised.“ We will never replace their mother, but we can make sure that they hear the stories, they remember her for what she was, and equally important— the folks on the street here they realize what’ s been lost.”
Perhaps appropriately, Familia’ s name, Miosotis, translates in English to“ forget me not.” Following the lead of the New York PBA, Answer the Call and the Stephen Siller Tunnels to Towers Foundation announced plans to raise money for Familia’ s three children and her mother.
Created in the aftermath of 9 / 11 in honor of a first responder who died that day, the Tunnels to Towers helped the families of Liu and Ramos. Familia was the first female NYPD officer to die in the line of duty since Sept. 11.
Answer the Call, which was started by former New York Mets outfielder Rusty Staub, provides families of fallen first responders with more than $ 250,000 on average raised through donations.
To donate to Answer the Call, visit www. answerthecall. org. To donate to Tunnel to Towers, visit www. crowdrise. com / donate / project / familia / tunnel2towers / 0. d
48 NEW JERSEY COPS ■ JULY 2017