NORTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, Fla. – It’s called Project Hero and to kick off the month of May, the national month to remember and recognize fallen law enforcement, Miami-Dade police officers gathered Friday in Northwest Miami Dade
“You owe it to those who gave their lives serving this community backing fellow officers up,” said Freddy Ramirez, director of the Miami-Dade Police Department.
Day in and day out, police officers in Miami-Dade make the ultimate sacrifice and sometimes the sacrifice made, to protect and serve, results in the life of an officer being lost.
“Project Hero is more than just a project, it’s a calling and it’s our duty,” Ramirez said.
On Friday, and for the past ten years, Miami-Dade’s Police Officer Assistance Trust has honored every resting officer. Through 2020, 151 Miami-Dade Police Officers have lost their lives in the line of duty.
“It’s our way of honoring their sacrifice and also honoring the families who live with that sorrow each and every day for generations,” said Ramirez.
From a moment of prayer to clearing off headstones at the grave sites of officers and placing new flags of honor, current officers say they want to show their fallen brothers and sisters in blue that they appreciate the ultimate sacrifice they paid.
“Think how refreshing it is to them when they go visit their family members’ grave and see that somebody took the time to beautify it, to show love, to show respect,” Ramirez said.