Sep 18, 2007 6:44 pm US/Eastern
Thousands Turn Out For Memorial To Slain Officer
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MIAMI (CBS4) ―
Thousands of friends, family and colleagues turned out to mourn a slain Miami-Dade County police officer who was killed by a gunman who also shot three other officers.
The emotional memorial service took place at FIU's Pharmed Arena which overflowed with mourners.
Florida's Turnpike was closed as a long line of motorcycle officers escorted the hearse carrying Somohano's flag-draped casket to the arena.
University classes were cancelled during the day, and so was the Miami-Dade County Commission meeting so elected officials and staff could attend the memorial.
Officer Somohano, the married father of two, was killed in the line of duty last Thursday in Southwest Miami-Dade.
Miami-Dade Police Director Robert Parker was the first to take the stage and led the audience in The Pledge of Allegiance.
Miami-Dade Police Chaplain Deacon Ralph Gazitua delivered the invocation followed by Sunny Isles Beach Police Chief Fred Maas, who gave a reading.
Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez took the stage and praised Officer Somohano.
"Integrity, respect, service and fairness. These are the core values of the men and women of the Miami-Dade Police Department. These are the values that Officer Somohano lived by and will take with him to his final resting place."
Mayor Alvarez also addressed Somohano's family, "I want to thank Officer Somohano's family for allowing me to speak today. I know that no words can heal your pain. Your loved one worked hard, earned the respect of his co-workers and peers and today he is being celebrating by those who knew him and those who did not, for his selfless act of bravery and courage."
"Officer Somohano's tragic death has touched this community and united us in grief, if only for a moment. It has prompted many of us consumed with the unimportant, to realize the fertility of life, rethink our priorities and put things in perspective," said Mayor Alvarez. He went on, "As a former police officer, I know all too well the sacrifice public safety professionals make for each other, their families and their community. Officer Somohano made the ultimate sacrifice."
The mayor called Officer Somohano an "American hero because he laid down his life for what he believed in."
Miami-Dade Police Director Robert Parker spoke after Mayor Alvarez and expressed his deepest condolences to the Somohano family, including his wife, Elizabeth, his son Christopher and his daughter Alissa.
"His being a hero has more to do with the service he performed for this community. He served diligently to make this community a more secure and more safe place," said Dir. Parker.
"Officer Somohano was a true hero who gave his all, who gave his life, for this community."
Then, a promise from Director Parker, "I give my personal pledge that Officer Somohano and his ultimate sacrifice made towards the protection and service of this community will never be forgotten."
FIU President Dr. Modesto Maidique took the stage and said "FIU is in mourning today." Officer Somohano was a graduate of Florida International University and described the university and its students as a family, a family that helps each other and a family that plans to help Officer Somohano's children attend college.
"We can't help to stem the pain that the family feels but maybe we can help in another way. When your children come of age, they will have full tuition scholarships to attend FIU," announced Dr. Maidique.
"In this way, they can carry on a tradition started by their father that is rooted in peace."
Officer Jody Wright, whose knee was shattered by gunfire in Thursday's shooting, taped a message from her hospital bed that was played at the Pharmed Arena.
In the taped message, Officer Wright said "I appreciate all the warm wishes you guys have sent me. I'm fine. I'm doing well. My heart is with you all and I thank you."
Miami-Dade Police Officer Bridgit Sanchez followed Officer Wright's video message with a solo performance of "Ave Maria", followed by by comments from Lt. William "Billy" Hernandez, Lt. Denise Bernhard and Lt. Juan Perez, who was a close personal friend.
The audience then watched a video tribute to Officer Somohano and many in the crowd were brought to tears.
Miami-Dade Schools Police Chief Gerald Darling also made remarks at the service. Officer Somohano had been a Miami-Dade Public Schools police officer before joining the Miami-Dade Police Department in 2003.
The benediction was delivered by Deacon Gazitua.
Somohano's burial procession followed the service and ended at Caballero-Rivero Woodlawn Cemetery, 11655 SW 117th Ave., where he was buried privately among family and friends.
Click Here to sign Jose Somohano's Guest Book provided by The Miami Herald.
Police say Somohano was killed and three other officers were injured in a spray of gunfire from a military-grade assault rifle fired by Shawn LaBeet, whom the officers were trying to arrest after a traffic stop on the morning of September 13, 2007.
Officers Christopher Carlin and Tomas Tundidor were released from the hospital after being treated for minor bullet wounds. Officer Jody Wright remains hospitalized.
LaBeet was shot and killed the same day by police. He was spotted with a weapon at a Pembroke Pines apartment complex, and he attempted to retreat into an enclosure while refusing to drop the gun as ordered by the officers.
Autopsy results show that he was shot 15 times, though only two of the bullets proved fatal.
Six people, including LaBeet's girlfriend and nephew, face charges of helping LaBeet hide.
A Trust Fund has been established for the children of slain Police Officer Jose Somohano. The Police Officer Assistance Trust has setup two easy ways to donate either through a check or online.
Click Here for the Police Officer Assistance Trust Web site where you can make a secure online donation.
Checks can be made payable to the Police Officer Assistance Trust or POAT and mailed to:
Police Officer Assistance Trust
1030 NW 111 Avenue
Miami, Florida 33172Please write "Somohano Trust Fund" on the check.
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