Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I recall almost 40 years my spouse was 8 months pregnant with our son and was in a auto accident. Officer Herring was reassuring and caring during that time. Everything turned out fine due his care and professionalism. God bless

Luis Bencomo md

December 20, 2023

Rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

September 3, 2020

Rest in peace Officer Herring. Today, I visited your grave and offered a small prayer for your heroic soul.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 14, 2020

Pastor and Mrs.Rooks my name is Rabbi Lewis Davis. I reflect quite often on fallen heroes and heroines. I read further of Officer David Herring and his remarkably humble, honorable and of course heroic life and career. I read today on a website: www.officerdown.com and it stated that Officer Herring was bitten by a canine dog and would not release its grip and the officer said he could shoot the dog, Officer Herring would not because of his love for animals. Another time you counselled him after he had to discharge his firearm and killed a woman who was waving the gun in public. His actions were justified and ruled a self defense issue. Another time he had found seventeen thousand dollars in an abandoned vehicle and he could have kept the money. He turned it in to his sergeant. It says a lot of your character, commitment and trustworthiness, Officer Herring. Rest in peace. By the way Pastor Rooks I work for Catholic Health Services in North Miami at Villa Maria Nursing and Rehab Center near where he is buried. I have visited Dade Memorial Park quite a number of times to visit another hero my neighbor, Officer William Coleman Cook, in the St Patrick's II section. Officer Herring is in St Patrick's I Section. The other place I visit the Jewish residents is St. John's Nursing and Rehab Center in Lauderdale Lakes west of Oakland Park Boulevard. I pray for his soul a great young man solemn and sacred taken way too soon. I read the story of his car and what happened to him which should not have.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 29, 2020

I will always remember David as the little brother my husband, MARCUS always missed but had because of the amazing family ties we had with the Herring family!
DAVID was awesome in all he did. He had an excellent spirit!
He loved God, his family, his pastor, his church and showed grace to everyone!
We were so proud of him and have missed him and spoke of him all these years.
We love you David! We will see you again one day. But we are so glad you are with your precious mom and dad and other loved ones now, safely in the arms of Jesus!
See you in a minute! Tell Gram and Grandad hello for us!

Marcus & Saundra Rooks

Marcus & Saundra Rooks
Friend/Pastor

September 1, 2018

I worked at Palmetto General Hospital with David years ago. I always found David very caring and wonderful human being. I remember him always wanting to pursue a career in law enforcement and I remember him being so excited when he finally got one. His death hit me quite hard it was so unexpected. But here it is 2018 and I'm remembering David as a caring wonderful individual. And I think it is that caring and wanting to help people that he got into law enforcement. May you R.I.P.

James Williams
Friend and co-worker

May 20, 2018

David was a friend to all and so was his family I still remember him I lived around the corner from him and when heard what had happeneded to him I was without words M Dovo

Manuel Dovo sivilian
Friend niebor

October 3, 2016

David,
I fondly recall,working survival tactics,and at the simulator bldg, with you, and VJ Smith,Kenny Racine,Mike Liotti,and others. Boy did we have a great time, or what! Especially when we taught folks at Virginia key.
You were the junior guy out there,and always pulled more than your fair share of weight. God bless you buddy,
RIP,Dave Collis........

Retired Lt. Dave Collis MPD: 1973-1995
City of Miami P.D.

Lt Dave Collis
City of Miami Police dept

December 31, 2015

Thinking of you and all of your loved ones today. Continue to keep watch over all of them. You have not been forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Fallen Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

September 3, 2013

David,

I encouraged you to become a police officer. You were applying to work with Miami P.D., and I was already a cop with Miami-Dade PD. I wanted you to succeed, and you did! You were great.

Through no fault of your own, a terrible tragedy happened. I remember telling your cousin, Mark Safreed, in a parking lot off NW 36 Street, what happened to you.

To this day, it's not that I blame myself for this happening, because I know that you would have pursued this avenue, no matter what anybody said; just like me!

I just wish that I never had a part of encouraging you to pursue this line of work, because I feel guilty. Mind you, David, this is several years since your passing (2013)! God how I wish you were with your parents and family!

I hope and pray that you and yours will forgive me for encouraging you to pursue police work, but then I must say, you would still pursue this type of work, no matter what!

Rest In Peace David. I attended your funeral so many years ago, and cried with Mark. Now I'm retired for 5 years, and I live with regrets of not doing more for you.

I look forward to seeing you again some day, when God calls me at His time.

God bless.

Jamie

Sergeant Jamie Kartis
Miami-Dade Police Department

July 31, 2013

Yesterday I visited your grave Officer Herring. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 11, 2013

HEROES live forever, and you sir are a hero we will never forget... Continue to rest in peace Officer Herring.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02
Union County SO, Lake Butler, FL

September 3, 2012

Today 4/27/12 we participated in "Project Hero". Project Hero is a new program. we as active and retired Officers go out to the grave sites of our fallen brothers and sisters (our Heroes) and fly an American flag and a Thin Blue line flag next to their graves for the entire month of May. We also take time to salute these Heroes in their final place of rest. Thank you Officer David Herring for giving the ultimate sacrafice

Detective Thomes Reyes
The City of Miami Police Department

April 27, 2012

Rest in Peace, Officer Herring. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

February 14, 2012

Officer Herring used to come to play football with us at Amelia Earhart park. At the time I as a teenager and a group of us from the neighborhood used to play every weekend at the park. He showed up one day and asked if he could play with us. Of course we agreed and he ended up coming a few more times after that. Imagine our shock when we saw the story in the news. It's been 25 years and I still remember him. He was a great guy, very outgoing and talkative and always had a smile on his face. I don't think I'll ever forget him. My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.

NA
Friend

October 12, 2011

I am not positive, but I believe this young officer's family did not civily hold the city liable for thier sons death in exchange for the city to upgrade the vehicle fleet and use the monies for the training center.

Retired
Miami PD

September 6, 2011

Continue to rest in peace Officer Herring, you sir are a hero we will never forget..

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02
Union County SO, Lake Butler, FL

Deb

September 3, 2011

Thank you so much for your message you left on Aug. 2, 2011... it was by chance that i just happened to run across it as i was looking for the address of the training center and this site popped up too. I never made it there and my son is down there and was going to go take pics for me. Unfortunatly that will not happen now... i noticed on a picture i found on the internet of the building before i found your post here, i looked and looked and could not find anywhere on the building where it said Davids name, i thought that was odd, then saw why. We have always and will always be proud of David and the impact he had on so many people. The training center which he redesigned and in turn they named it after him after his death in 1986, was an honour to say the least, but, unfortunately times, people and businesses change with time and i guess the department feels it is time to move on in another direction. David's memory lives on in many of us, i still shed tears for my cousin David and miss him always... This is the 25th anniversary of his death and I created a page on FaceBook in his honor today... i always remember him on May 15th Nation Peace officers day, August 1st his birthday and September 3rd his death date... The plate on the front of my car is in his honor and i use it during the months of May, August and September... Again thank you for posting, I have made a phone call to a family member in Miami and he is going to contact someone to see about getting the plaques that were on the building for the family.
Have a Blessed Day...

Rebecca VanNess
Cousin

September 1, 2011

It is with great pain that I'm writing this message. The city of Miami is in the process of leasing or selling the David Herring Training center. So if you could please pass the information on to any and all surviving family members, they should know how the memory of our fallen brother is being dishonored.

Officer anonymous
Miami Police Dept.

August 2, 2011

To The Herring Family:
I wanted to offer my sympathies on your son's tragic death. The courage he displayed will never be forgotten. The people responsible for sending out in his car that night should have been left in the Everglades. Rest in peace Officer Herring. I have visited your grave at Dade Memorial park.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 18, 2011

I think of you often and remember the nights looking through the telescope at the stars. Now I look at the stars and think of you. Always loved you like a big brother. Miss you and love you

Dawn St jean
Friend

June 18, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 23rd anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

To David's parents: I share with you the anquish of losing a beloved child which surely has to be life's greatest sorrow. I hold you in my heart's embrace and pray for your solace.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

September 3, 2009

22 yrs ago and David will never be for gotten! I was on the Honor Guard detail with David and he was a fine young man/Police Officer. Missed by all! God Bless the Herring family & friends.

Terry Russell (retired)
City of Miami

September 3, 2008

Officer Herring,
On today, the 22nd anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Miami. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

Anonymous

September 3, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

December 14, 2007