Thread: Two Officers Slain in Miami's Worst Cop Killing in 20 Years

Two Officers Slain in Miami's Worst Cop Killing in 20 Years

Jan 20, 2011 – 5:32 PM

Roger Castillo knew he was on a dangerous assignment this morning. What he didn't know was that this would be the worst day for Miami's cops in more than 20 years.

The 21-year veteran was in a team of police officers working with a U.S. Marshals Service task force sent to serve a homicide warrant on a fugitive who had been identified as violent. But this was Castillo's job: The team works to arrest people wanted for crimes all over the country.

"This unit is very well-trained, very well-armed, and highly protects itself," said Carlos Alvarez, mayor of Miami-Dade and a former director of Miami-Dade police, according to MSNBC. "So they know what they're doing."

Everything seemed to be going according to plan when they knocked on the door. A relative of the suspect answered the door, then walked away, promising to be right back.

Then shooting erupted. When the violence ended, Castillo was dead, along with a suspect later identified as 23-year-old Johnny Simms. Another officer, identified as 23-year veteran Amanda Haworth, died in a hospital and a third, Deidree Beecher, was being treated for minor injuries.

"We're asking for the community's prayers,'' said Cmdr. Nancy Perez, who had to choke back tears as she made the announcement, according to The Miami Herald.

It was the first time in two decades that two law enforcement officers were killed on the job in Miami, according to the Herald. http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/01/20/2 ... -shot.html

Sponsored Links"It was just a tragic incident that we see here too often in Miami-Dade, of a violent suspect who could care less," Alvarez said, according to MSNBC.

In 1988, two officers were killed with their own service revolvers at a northeast Dade trailer park.

In today's shootout, authorities said they have one suspect in custody and are not looking for any others.

Now, Jan. 20 will be remembered as a dark day for Miami police, and for everyone who knew Castillo.

"He was an excellent officer, an excellent man, just like any other officer that is out there working to protect the community," Perez said, according to local TV station WSVN 7. http://www.wsvn.com/news/articles/local ... 24069387/#

http://www.aolnews.com/2011/01/20/two-o ... id=webmail

I can say it enough.. this state is full of WACKO's .. If you come to Florida please be careful