Tears and praise at memorial for slain Miami-Dade officer
By Madeline Baro Diaz
South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com
MIAMI, Fla. — With tears in her eyes, Jose Somohano's young daughter was lifted up so she could kiss her father's flag-draped coffin.
Police officers hug each other following graveside services for Miami Dade officer Jose Somohano Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2007, in Miami. (AP Photo/Nuri Vallbona, Pool)
At a memorial service this afternoon for the slain Miami-Dade police officer, his wife and children heard him described as a hero, a dedicated public servant and a friend.
Thousands turned out, including family, friends and a sea of uniformed police officers from Miami-Dade and Broward Counties overflowing the Pharmed Arena of Florida International University. Somohano, 37, was killed in a spray of gunfire last Thursday after pulling over a white Honda that was being driven erratically in Cutler Bay in southwest Miami-Dade. Three other officers were wounded in the incident.
One of them, Jody Wright, sent a videotaped message praising Somohano. "He was a dear friend to me," she said.
She also talked about Shawn Labeet, the Margate man believed to be the shooter. Labeet was killed in a confrontation with police later Thursday. "I'm glad this guy is no longer on the streets," Wright said. "He can't hurt anybody else."
A Miami Dade police officer hands Elizabeth Somohano the flag that draped her husband's coffin during graveside services for fellow officer Jose Somohano Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2007, in Miami. (AP Photo/Nuri Vallbona, Pool)
Wright's parents were at the memorial service, greeted by applause, along with the two other injured officers, Tomas Tunidor and Christopher Carlin.
Fellow officers spoke of Somohano as a dedicated police officer who was passionate about his job and was a devoted father, husband and son. He left behind a wife and two young children.
"Officer Somohano's death is a sobering reminder of how dangerous police work is," said Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez. "He is an American hero because he laid down his life for something he believed in."
Florida's Turnpike was closed earlier today as officers escorted the hearse carrying Somohano's flag-draped casket to the arena, which overflowed with mourners.
Six people, including LaBeet's girlfriend and nephew, face charges of helping LaBeet hide.
Trust fund set up for Somohano's children
A trust fund has been established for slain Miami-Dade police officer Jose Somohano's children. Donations can be made online or by check. Go to the Police Officer Assistance Trust Fund Web site at
http://www.poat.org or mail checks payable to POAT to the fund, 1030 NW 111th Ave., Suite 232, Miami, Fla., 33172. Please write ``For Somohano Trust Fund'' on the check.
This report was supplemented by the Associated Press
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