Fallen Miami-Dade detectives honored by department

Three years after Miami-Dade police detectives Amanda Haworth and Roger Castillo were gunned, the two were honored on Monday by having the department’s warrants bureau renamed in their honor.

“I must say Amanda and Roger were very unique in that they loved life and they gave their all to family, to faith and to this community,” said Miami-Dade Police Director J.D. Patterson. “It is our challenge to never ever forget, to never ever take for granted, and to live each and every day reflecting the life and the commitment of both Amanda and Roger in everything we do.”

More than 200 friends and co-workers joined the detectives’ family at police headquarters in Doral for the unveiling of a plaque bearing Haworth and Castillo’s names and pictures.

“The loss for us is as great now as the very first moment we heard the news,” said Susanne Miller, Haworth’s mother.

“We don’t forget, we can’t forget because these are people that were so special to our community and to our families,” added Magda Robaina, Castillo’s cousin.

Haworth and were members of a special squad that went looking for wanted criminals. On January 20, 2011, their target was Johnny Simms, who was wanted for murder.

When the detectives went to the home of Simms’ mother, she let them in. But as soon as Haworth entered the house, Simms burst through a bedroom door and began firing. Simms shot Haworth in the head and then as he ran out the front door shot and killed Castillo. Simms was killed himself a few seconds later by another detective from the warrants squad, Oscar Plasencia.

The memorial for Haworth and Castillo at the AmericanAirlines Arena was one of the largest in South Florida history.

Major Charles Nanney said the warrants bureau’s new name will act as a reminder to every officer who walks through its doors to be extra vigilant.

“Its very important we don’t forget because we have about 3,000 officers out there every day and every day could be their last day,” Nanney said. “Three years ago happened to be Roger and Amanda’s last day.”

This story was originally published January 20, 2014 at 8:38 PM with the headline "Fallen Miami-Dade detectives honored by department."