MOD 1
01-20-2011, 08:24 PM
from MiamiHerald.com
Two Miami-Dade police officers were shot and killed in a gunfight with suspects as they tried to serve a warrant for a violent fugitive in a Miami home Thursday morning. It was the first time in decades two law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty.
The dead male officer was identified as Roger Castillo. The female officer was identified as Amanda Haworth.
One suspect, identified as Johnny Sims, 23, was killed in the gun battle. Another suspect is in custody, said Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez.
Investigators say they're not looking for any other suspects.
``We're asking for the community's prayers,'' said Commander Nancy Perez, who broke down when she announced the news shortly before 12:30 p.m. Thursday.
The county detectives were attempting to arrest Sims on a murder warrant for a slaying that happened in October in Miami, according to multiple law enforcement sources.
Sims, according to state corrections records, was released from prison in September on probation. He had been imprisoned for armed robbery and selling cocaine.
Details were sketchy, but this much was known: The shooting erupted between a suspect and police at a home near Northwest Seventh Avenue and 69th Street.
Castillo died at the scene. The female officer died in surgery at Jackson Memorial Hospital.
Authorities shut down traffic on Interstate 95, as several other suspects reportedly fled the scene. Aerial helicopter shots showed two bodies covered, one under a blue tarp and another under a yellow tarp. Miami Fire Rescue transported two people about 11:20 a.m.
A multiagency task force was working in the area serving a warrant for the city of Miami. At a County Commission meeting early Thursday, Commission Chair Joe Martinez announced that the county had lost one officer and a second had been airlifted to JMH. Martinez said officers were serving a warrant on ``career criminals'' when the shooting occurred.
Nearby schools were put on lockdown, including Thena Crowder Elementary School, 757 NW 66th St., and Little River Elementary School, 514 NW 77th St.
John Rivera, president of the Miami chapter of the Police Benevolent Association, decried the killings and said citizens should consider the risks police face when they criticize officer salaries.
``Today, our community lost two more heroes,'' Rivera said in a statement. ``Our hearts ache for their families and their loved ones who are dealing with incomprehensible grief, loss and shock. These two officers were loving family members, friends and our neighbors. They wanted to serve their community and make it a better, safer place for all of us.''
To critics of police salaries, Rivera said, ``I ask this: `How much is a life worth? Would you tell the families of those officers killed today that they were paid too much for what they gave to this community?' I think not.''
Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/01/20/2 ... z1BboxoH9q (http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/01/20/2025291/two-miami-dade-police-officers.html#ixzz1BboxoH9q)
Two Miami-Dade police officers were shot and killed in a gunfight with suspects as they tried to serve a warrant for a violent fugitive in a Miami home Thursday morning. It was the first time in decades two law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty.
The dead male officer was identified as Roger Castillo. The female officer was identified as Amanda Haworth.
One suspect, identified as Johnny Sims, 23, was killed in the gun battle. Another suspect is in custody, said Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez.
Investigators say they're not looking for any other suspects.
``We're asking for the community's prayers,'' said Commander Nancy Perez, who broke down when she announced the news shortly before 12:30 p.m. Thursday.
The county detectives were attempting to arrest Sims on a murder warrant for a slaying that happened in October in Miami, according to multiple law enforcement sources.
Sims, according to state corrections records, was released from prison in September on probation. He had been imprisoned for armed robbery and selling cocaine.
Details were sketchy, but this much was known: The shooting erupted between a suspect and police at a home near Northwest Seventh Avenue and 69th Street.
Castillo died at the scene. The female officer died in surgery at Jackson Memorial Hospital.
Authorities shut down traffic on Interstate 95, as several other suspects reportedly fled the scene. Aerial helicopter shots showed two bodies covered, one under a blue tarp and another under a yellow tarp. Miami Fire Rescue transported two people about 11:20 a.m.
A multiagency task force was working in the area serving a warrant for the city of Miami. At a County Commission meeting early Thursday, Commission Chair Joe Martinez announced that the county had lost one officer and a second had been airlifted to JMH. Martinez said officers were serving a warrant on ``career criminals'' when the shooting occurred.
Nearby schools were put on lockdown, including Thena Crowder Elementary School, 757 NW 66th St., and Little River Elementary School, 514 NW 77th St.
John Rivera, president of the Miami chapter of the Police Benevolent Association, decried the killings and said citizens should consider the risks police face when they criticize officer salaries.
``Today, our community lost two more heroes,'' Rivera said in a statement. ``Our hearts ache for their families and their loved ones who are dealing with incomprehensible grief, loss and shock. These two officers were loving family members, friends and our neighbors. They wanted to serve their community and make it a better, safer place for all of us.''
To critics of police salaries, Rivera said, ``I ask this: `How much is a life worth? Would you tell the families of those officers killed today that they were paid too much for what they gave to this community?' I think not.''
Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/01/20/2 ... z1BboxoH9q (http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/01/20/2025291/two-miami-dade-police-officers.html#ixzz1BboxoH9q)