I took an oath to protect and serve, Respect and fairness is what I deserve. I come to your home all hours of the night, To comfort your fears and break up the fight. I have my own life and problems to face, I handle daily dramas with poise and grace. I am a daughter, a friend, officer and a wife, I hold your hand and bare the news of loss of life. I am human, I have fears but I have to be strong, Make split second descisions that can't be wrong. I save a life and rush to put out the flames, But, when something goes wrong, who's to blame? We buried a fellow officer today and my heart aches, An armed subject with an AK47 made no mistakes. A son, a friend, an officer no more, Too much violence on the streets that you can't ignore. Stricter gun laws for the public and training is a must, Another officer down is so unjust. Ill-equipped and poorly trained makes for a losing war, Is this what to expect and what the future has in-store? Take a moment and reflect on what you've seen today, In our hearts and minds, these images will stay, Respect police officers and the sacrifices they must make, Their families, their careers, and lives are at stake. Its in our blood, theres no other place we would rather be, But, when we lose one, we all hurt, this is one big family.

Kristy De La Paz
Miami Dade Police Department