10,000 Cops Mourn Slain Officer “Mios”

10,000 Cops Mourn Slain Officer “Mios”
by David Greene

More than 10,000 police officers from across the country joined community and family members at the World Changers Church on the Grand Concourse in saying goodbye to slain police officer Miosotis “Mios” Familia, 48, during a moving service held on Tuesday, July 11.

Familia, a 12-year veteran of the NYPD was shot in the head for simply being a cop by deranged gunman Alexander Bonds, 34, who was killed minutes later by fellow officers.

Familia was shot as she sat inside a mobile command center in the early morning hours of July 5.

A sea of blue as more than 10,000 police officers line the Grand Concourse as far as the eye can see.--Photo by David Greene

A sea of blue as more than 10,000 police officers line the Grand Concourse as far as the eye can see.–Photo by David Greene

Michelle Valdez, a retired member of the NYPD and former “midnight officer” at the 46th Precinct, said of Familia, “Any time I saw this woman, I kid you not… she would grab my arm. If I was sitting behind the desk, she would grab the bars.”

Valdez continued, “She was an engaging person because she would literally look at you and ask how you were doing.”

Carmen Figueroa, a longtime Fordham Heights resident and member of the 46th Precinct Community Council, was crying as she recalled Familia, “She was a great woman who came into our community and talked to the children who played in the street. I had to come here today for her.”

Thousands of police officers jam the Grand Concourse for fallen NYPD officer Miosotis Familia, 48.--Photo by David Greene

Thousands of police officers jam the Grand Concourse for fallen NYPD officer
Miosotis Familia, 48.–Photo by David Greene

Tears now streaming down her face, Figueroa added, “We expected this, this is the fifth one already that got killed the same way and their just doing their jobs in the community and they took her away from us.”

Chaplin Kim Graves of the New York State Chaplin Task Force that works closely with the NYPD, was frustrated when she said, “I believe they need to bring back stop-and-frisk, that was the biggest mistake when the stopped it.”

Graves, an African-American woman was asked about the minorities who claimed they were discriminated against, responded, “I believe that they should have tried to work it out to be fair. But it’s gotten worse since they stopped it and if they don’t bring it back, it’s going to get worse.”

Speaking to Familia’s surviving children during the service, NYPD Commissioner James O’Neil was trying to fight back tears when he said, “Nothing I could say could bring your mom back. But I can make you a promise: your mom didn’t die in vain. Your mom’s legacy will never fade from the importance of memory.”

The body of of police officer Miosotis Familia is taken from the church to Woodlawn Cemetery.--Photo by David Greene

The body of of police officer Miosotis Familia is taken from the church to Woodlawn Cemetery.–Photo by David Greene

O’Neil posthumously promoted Familia to detective.

“Info”, the lone member of the Guardian Angels in attendance, stated he and about twenty-five members had been at the church, the former Lowe’s Paradise movie theater, when Familia’s body had arrived the day before.

“Info,” a resident of nearby Valentine Avenue, explained, “I’m from the Bronx and we support the NYPD and it’s a very sad day for New York. It’s a tragedy that shouldn’t have happened and my condolences go to the family.”

Familia leaves behind daughter Genesis, 20, and 12 year-old twins Delilah and Peter.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email