Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

To Terry, your strength and dedication is admirable and rarely found. As an Officer for nearly 16 years we take much for granted, including life. My wife will get an extra I love you tonight after reading this site. As many of us continue to carry out this dangerous job, we must remember our fallen brothers and rededicate our selves to carry out our job in their honor for they believed in it enough to lay down their own lives. To Emilio, your bravery and courage will long be remembered. Rest in peace brother for we have the watch now.

Inv. Michael Walker
Tallahassee Police Department

Dear PATROLMAN

Thank you for taking your time reading Emilio's reflections, is an Honor to us..yes, he was a very happy man and because he was the way he was and he did a job he loved till the end, is why now I am here helping other survivors work their pain, through our support group CONCERN OF POLICE SURVIVORS (COPS),

Thank you and God Bless you, your dad and all the other brothers and sisters who are still taking care of our cities....

Terry Miyares, surviving spouse
Officer Emilio F. Miyares, Hialeah PD, FL, EOW 11/6/86

Hello Terry I have just spent the last hour or so reading your husbands reflections, It overwelmed me to see how much you keep up with it. Through the words that you have said I know Emilio was a very happy man. Terry I can't sit here and say "Yea I know how you feel." because i don't. My father has been a police officer for 28 years and continues to do so. I can't imagine having to go through what you went through. You are a very strong woman and I ask that you continue to help those who need it. To Emilio please look over us who continue to work the streets and tell my friend up their with you I said hello, Joe McGarry Myrtle Beach Police S.C. Gunned down 12/29/2002

Patrolman
Monroe Police, North Carolina

Dear Kathy


Thank you for letting him know how much you guys care, 'cause I already know, you are always making sure that you know how we are...we love you

Terry Miyares, surviving spouse
Officer Emilio F. Miyares, Hialeah PD, FL, EOW 11/6/86

Hey Emmy,
Well alot of time has passed since writing here. I finally went to your place of rest for the first time a couple of years ago, right before I went for my first trip to Washington D.C. with my husband for the memorial. Your wonderful wife encouraged me to go as well as sit in with others grieving losses of their own police loved ones. I want you to know that your mother attended for her first time on Mother's day, and I made sure she had her first and only "Officer's Mother" badge. She was very grateful. It was my pleasure. I was very moved and honored to be sitting with your loving family during the candlelite vigil. It was a total experience I will never ever forget......
Since then I have found it not so difficult to "visit" you back home. Not easy, just not so difficult. I visit Terry, quite often, as well as baby Javi!!!! He looks just like Jessie and you. Eerily has some of your mannerisms too, which just reenforces the fact that you are always around us. Everyone at the department you know is doing ok for the most part. We are slowly but surely leaving for other endeavors in retirement. Yes, its been that long that we work there. Your closest friends are still around or close enough to contact. Ralph, Lionel, Felix, Carlos, all of them are fine. Lionel is a grandfather, Ralph's boy David is a police officer with the county right now, and Felix is doing great.......We still love and miss you a great deal, more than your family will ever really know.
Thanks for watching over all of us................xoxoxoxox

Kathy
Hialeah Police Dept

To Andi:

I am so glad that you had the opportunity to visit the wall, If you think that was "emotional" just wait to POLICE WEEK. Thank you for taking your time and interest on Emilio, you don't know how much it means to us...I am really looking forward to meet you, my family and I will be there from the 11th - 17th, please look for us.

Once again Thank you and God Bless you

Terry Miyares, surviving spouse
Officer Emilio F. Miyares, Hialeah PD, FL, EOW 11/6/86

Hello Terry.

I just got back from DC this morning...I went to the LEO wall about every day. I went to Emilio's name and I said the Rosary for him, also, I traced his name and I went to the Memorial museum and bought a print out of his picture and name that they have on those computers. I walked around the wall several times and I dont think i have felt so bad ever. I cried a long time. I am going to police week. I will be there the 10th-15th of May. I cant wait to meet such a brave woman as yourself...take care till police week....God Bless.

Andi

Hi Andi, I am glad that you will be there, looking forward to meeting you..


Thanks

Terry Miyares, surviving spouse
Officer Emilio F. Miyares, Hialeah PD, FL, EOW 11/6/86

Terry,
I just found out that I will be in DC for police week. :) I look forward to seeing you there....Keep in touch......

Andi

Hi Andi

I am so glad you are going to DC and to the Wall...Please, ofcourse you can trace Emilio's name, that is an Honor to our family that you would like to do that...

Our family will be in DC in May for the Police Memorial Services..

Thank you for having us in mind...

Take care and God Bless you

Terry Miyares, surviving spouse
Officer Emilio F. Miyares, Hialeah PD, FL, EOW 11/6/86

Hi Terry. I am going to Washington DC at the end of this month. I was wondering if I May trace your husbands name when I visit the Law Enforcement memorial? I thought it would be only right to ask.

Andi

Mrs. Miyares I am very sorry for your loss and suffering, Though i am just an explorer at this time I know how hard these things can be. I have been to many officer ceremonies and they never get easier. My fathers good friend (Officer Michael Blankenship) was killed in the line of duty and it was a very tough time in his life. I think it is great how you post all of these reflections for other officers families and friends you do make a difference. You are a great person! I am dedicating my career in Law Enforcement to all of the fallen brothers and sisters who did the job they love. Mrs Miyeres Keep reaching out as long as you can, you DO make a difference.
"IN VALOR THERE IS HOPE"

Explorer Kyle Matlock
Huber Heights Police Dept., OH

To all of you who always post reflections on my husband's page, and write to me; I would like to say THANK YOU, and after so many years of Emilio being gone, I know that him dying was not in vain. I try to keep his work through me and our kids. And to you friends, thank you for those words, when I feel a little down all I need to do is read the reflections here and I see that I am also doing something to make a difference, just like Emilio and so many of you guys do everyday.. To the families of the Officers who still out there doing their job, THANK YOU and GOD BLESS YOU ALL..

Terry Miyares, surviving spouse
Officer Emilio F. Miyares, Hialeah PD, FL, EOW 11/6/86

Dear Mrs. Miyares,

I read this and it means a lot to me and I would like to share it with you.



A Day in the Life of a Policeman’s Wife


The day, as many, starts the same
With breakfast, school and such.
He's asleep, the house is calm,
I miss his loving touch.

I sneak a peek at him in bed,
His sleeping form is still.
He is safe at home with me,
He'll stay that way until-

The night shift starts as people sleep,
I lay awake and pray,
That God may watch him as he works,
And bring him home okay.

I have learned that life is fragile,
It only takes one call,
To take away the one you love,
Or see his comrade fall.

So whether it's an evening,
Or afternoon or day,
My thoughts are with him as he works,
I stay at home, I pray.

For now I know each days a gift,
That's given every life.
Each day more precious, just because
I'm a Policeman's Wife.

Tracy
Policeman's Wife, Washington State

Thank you Terry for leaving a message on my fiance's page. It means a lot to know I am not alone in my pain. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first law enforcement officer to die in the line of duty, nor will he be the last. My heart goes out to Emilio Miyares family, friends and coworkers.

Please accept my condolences on behalf of the McElderry family and remember that Emilio is part of huge law enforcement family. If you ever need anything any number of them will be there for you (as I've quickly found out!) From reading the many reflections posted here, I am certain Emilio was well respected and well loved. Thank you for a job well done and for helping to make this world a safer place for us all. Please take care of my fiance Dennis.

Peace, Love, Luck, and Happiness!

Jocelyne Brar
Dennis McElderry's fiancee - EOW (01/03/03)

Dear Andi:

thank you for thinking of me and my family, you will not believe this but Psalm is one of my favorite one(not exactly)the police officer one, I think this is beautiful...once again thank you I will cherish it..

And to you my friend, congratulations, I am proud of you...

Keep me inform..

Terry

Terry Miyares, surviving spouse
Officer Emilio F. Miyares, Hialeah PD, FL, EOW 11/6/86

Terry,
While surffing the web I came across this poem. When I read it I thought of you and your family. God Bless and take care. Oh and to inform you on my up to date standings in Law Enforcement. Last time I wrote you I was just a student, I am still a student but the Detroit PD has processed my application.....Once again, take care and God bless,

The Police Officer's 23rd Psalm

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want, His comforting hand reduces fear to naught; He makes me walk through streets of crime, But He gives me courage and peace of mind.

He leads me by still waters in the path I trod, And He says in Romans I'm a "minister of God," He leads me in righteousness as He restores my soul, For His name's sake He keeps me whole.

When I walk through death's valley, right up to the door, I will fear no evil, for He comforts me more; For Thou art with me every step of the way, As thy rod and thy staff protect me each day.

He prepares a table, especially for me, As I work daily among life's enemies; He gives me authority to uphold the law, And He anoints my position in the midst of it all.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me, Each day of my life through eternity; As I long to hear Him say, "Well done...," When I lay down my life, my badge, and my gun.

(Author Unknown)

With much love, ANDI

To ALL my new friends:

Thank you for leaving reflections for my husband and such beautiful words for me. God Bless you all and keep you....

Terry Miyares, surviving spouse
Officer Emilio F. Miyares, Hialeah PD, FL, EOW 11/6/86

Don't grieve for me, for now I am free,
I am following the path GOD laid for me.
I took his hand when I heard him call,
I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day,
To laugh…to love…to work…to play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way,
For I found peace at the close of the day.

If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
These things I too will miss.

Be not burdened with time of sorrow,
For I wish for you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life’s been full, I savored much,
Good friends, good times, a loved ones touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all to brief,
Don't lengthen it now with undo grief.
So lift up your heart and share with me,
GOD wanted me now...He has set me free.

Remember...to live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die

Anonymous

Dear Terry,

I have been visiting ODMP for a few years now at least once a week. I read all the reflections of all the fallen brothers and sisters in blue and occasionally I leave a reflection. I have noticed your name over and over so I decided to visit your husbands reflections.

After reading all his reflections, I almost feel I was able to get to know your husband and your family through your words. From that horrible day, to the birth of your grandson (congratulations by the way). I think it is wonderful how you keep Emilio "up to date". I can see that you love and miss Emilio very much.

I cannot imagine what you are and have gone through. My husband is a law enforcement officer. I pray each night that my husband comes home to me. His last words to me before he leaves for work is, “I love you honey and I’ll be home.” I pray he is able to keep his word.

God be with you and your family. Thank you for your inspiration.

Tracy
Policeman's Wife, Washington State

Dear Andi

Thank you for the beautiful reflection you let to my husband, as you say is officers as him that gave their life for other and "future Officers as you who are willing to do the same. You take care and be very careful out there for all of us.....I commend you and your family(my daughter is the same age as you and my son is 23, he is also looking into LE but he still going to the University and maybe later will do it).

YOu take care dear friend, God Bless you and Keep you always....

Terry Miyares

Terry Miyares, surviving spouse
Officer Emilio F. Miyares, Hialeah PD, FL, EOW 11/6/86

"It is not how this man dies that made him a hero, it's how he lived his life." ~Officer Down Memorial~

Dear Officer Miyares,
I guess it has been almost 12 years since your fatal night. I just wanted to drop on here and tell you what I thought of you. I was 5 the day you left here. And am now a 20 year old woman making her way into law enforcement. I feel blessed that I am going to be one of you. I get to carry the torch now, to make sure no one gets left behind and that no ones name is forgotten. I have come across your wifes name on may occasions , 200 i can recall myself. Which is how I know your name is here.That just goes to show that No one gets left behind. Officers of the past will never be forgotten.
Now as I enter law enforcement, I know that I may be called into battle and that I must be ready at a moments notice to put my life down for the life of the innocent. It is Officers like you that give me that inspiration. I know that I may not return home one night, this is a dangerous profession that only the strongest can hold, but it takes someone far more stronger to give themself and make the Ultimate Sacrifice to save the innocent/ You will be in God's eyes forever dear officer and you name WILL NEVER be forgotten. Gods Speed good Officer. Rest now.

to Mrs. Miyares: I know it has been 12 years. 12 painfully horrible years. You are a brave woman to live each day to the fullest. I cannot imagine a far greater pain. You are truly brave. May God Look out for you and your family. Blessing to you all.

Andi Strickler

Dan, on behalf of "our" family thank you....

Take care and God Bless you

Terry Miyares, surviving spouse
Officer Emilio F. Miyares, Hialeah PD, FL, EOW 11/6/86

Hi Honey:

Happy New Year in Heaven....wow, is incredible 16 new years without you....But it feels that you still with us(I know you are)


We love you and miss you always

your family

your wife, kids and grandkid
Terry, Emilio jr, Jessica and Javier II

Terry Miyares, surviving spouse
Officer Emilio F. Miyares, Hialeah PD, FL, EOW 11/6/86

Hi Honey:

I just want to say "Merry Christmas" and "Felices Pascuas", as we have done for the last 5 years we are spending Christmas eve at home, Emilio jr, is roasting the pig as you used to do, he took over the tradition. Your mom, your brother and his family come by on the 24th to say hi and then on the 25th "Christmas day" they come and have lunch with us; it feels good to see his family and yours together and all grown up. We are going to miss you and your dad as we always do specially this year as our grandson is going to celebrate his first Christmas with us, he is so cute, he is already 3 mnths old. Well, I guess I leave you for now...and again "Feliz Navidad"

We love you now and always.

your family,

Terry, Emilio jr, Jessica and Javier II(your grandson)

Terry Miyares, surviving spouse
Officer Emilio F. Miyares, Hialeah PD, FL, EOW 11/6/86