Officer shot six times attends police memorial. 'My name could be on that wall.’
Manny Gonzalez knew that going to the annual Miami-Dade Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Ceremony would be “emotional.”
Gonzalez, who has been an officer for seven years, says it could have been him people were paying tribute to Thursday night.
“My name could be on that wall,” Gonzalez said, referring to the permanent memorial in Tropical Park that bears the names of the police officers in the county who died in the line of duty.
On Dec. 6, 2017, Gonzalez was working an off-duty shift at Walmart in Northwest Miami-Dade when he was shot six times — in the shoulder, back and leg — by a suspected shoplifter.
After four days in the hospital, he returned home only to have to go back because of an infection. He then endured weeks in the hospital and several surgeries. His wife, children, relatives and police family got him through, he said.
“I look at things a lot differently now,” said Gonzalez, whose wounds came after he confronted convicted murderer David Facen. Gonzalez fatally wounded Facen in a gun battle.
Three weeks ago, he returned to duty.
There are currently 143 names on the wall. John Jenkins, executive vice president of the Dade County Police Benevolent Association, said making it a year without having to add a name is something the group strives for.
“We want to honor those who have gone but we don’t want to have to add any names to the wall,” he said.
The somber ceremony, in its 37th year, brings together police agencies to recognize the fallen and includes a reading of each officer’s name, prayers, and a police flyover. Gonzalez said he’s been to the ceremony once before, early in his career.
His wife, Sherry, who sat next to him at the memorial, said it was important they attended as a family.
“It could have easily been me here without him,” she said. “I’m just glad he is here.”
This story was originally published May 3, 2018 at 9:29 PM with the headline "Officer shot six times attends police memorial. 'My name could be on that wall.’."