Slain officer's widow: ‘He's always here'

2 officers remembered year after shootings

MIAMI – A year to the day after her police officer husband and his partner were killed on the job, Debbie Castillo spoke publicly about her grief and how the community helped her family cope. 

"Although I might not be crying at the moment, he's always here," said Castillo about her husband, Roger. 

Video: Watch the entire interview with Officer Debbie Castillo

Photos: Garden ceremony

Roger Castillo, Amanda Haworth and two other officers were serving a murder warrant at a Liberty City home last year when the man they were looking to arrest shot and killed them, according to investigators. 

"He enjoyed life. He had fun. He held no grudges. He lived life, and we all need to learn from him and to enjoy ourselves because you never know when your day will come," said Debbie Castillo. 

Debbie Castillo, who is also a police officer, was flanked by her three sons and Roger's mother as she spoke at Miami-Dade Police Headquarters. The family and that of Amanda Haworth had participated Friday morning in the dedication of a butterfly garden in Haworth and Castillo's names at the entrance to the building. 

"He deserves that and more in my opinion, because he's amazing," said Castillo's 16-year-old son, Anthony. 

The three boys and Haworth's two sons will get to award two scholarships in their parents' names. 

Asked if she would want her sons to become police officers like their parents, Debbie Castillo chuckled. 

"I have to let them do what they want. Would I lose some sleep? Probably, yeah," she said.


About the Author:

Glenna Milberg joined Local 10 News in September 1999 to report on South Florida's top stories and community issues. She also serves as co-host on Local 10's public affairs broadcast, "This Week in South Florida."