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Widow Of Slain Officer Rebuilds Her Family

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Jul 8, 2008 9:50 pm US/Eastern

Widow Of Slain Officer Rebuilds Her Family

Elizabeth Somohano Said After Her Husband's Murder, "The Heart Of The Family Is Missing"

Reporting
Shannon Hori
E-mail

Elizabeth Somohano never thought one September morning would be the last time she'd ever see her husband  alive. In an interview with CBS4 Anchor Shannon Hori, she said the last thing Jose said to her was, "I love you." She added, "He never went one day without saying I love you."

It was 11 am when a man who had been seen driving erratically opened fire killing officer Somohano, and wounding three others in a southwest Miami-Dade county neighborhood.  Elizabeth remembered being picked up from work.

"In the beginning, I kept like replaying the day over and over and over again.  Replaying, 'Oh, my God, I didn't want him to suffer," she said.

Elizabeth explained that she had not read all of the police reports from that day, though, she has filled the home they lived in with their two children with his memory.

She displays all of his awards, and keeps boxes filled with letters sent to her after his death, explaining  "These are from all the kids from different schools.  I've just kept them." 

Jose and Elizabeth were married more than 12 years but together for more than 17.

"We had many years together that were happy.  Some people didn't have a quarter of what we had."

Elizabeth tried going back to work for a while, but has since taken time off to focus on rebuilding her life with their children:  8-year-old Elizabeth and 17-year-old Christopher.

In June, she threw Jose a birthday party.  He would have been 38.  She says her fun-loving husband would have loved the party.

With time, Elizabeth said things will get better.

"Now, it's gone from an agony that I wish I was dead with him… to a kind of pain… to an ache for what I wanted to continue."

She sighed, "The house has become quiet, and you're missing the heart of the family."

(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)