Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Broom,
On today, the 27th anniversary of your death, I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your community, but also for our Country when you served in the U.S. Army. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

Anonymous

September 2, 2008

The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

October 3, 2007

I’ll never forget that fateful day when your life was so tragically taken from us. I was working the front desk as a P.S.A. taking a phone report of a larceny when the entire station began emptying out through the east doors that lead to Northwest 2nd avenue. My victim somehow caught wind of your shooting and chokingly stated “My theft isn’t important.” He abruptly hung up the phone.

Someone yelled that an officer had been shot. My first thought was “No way”. No way because Lt. William Burger recently addressed a group of police recruits and explained how our department hadn’t had an officer shot for several years and it was due to the outstanding training we were receiving.

I guess neither Lt. Burger nor anyone else for that matter, could possibly envision that Miami was about to undertake a massive change in its image. For me, your untimely death was the prelude to what Miami was becoming in the 80’s. Between Cocaine and Fidel Castro emptying his jails and insane asylums into our streets, Miami would no longer be the quaint tropical paradise of Southeast Florida. Yours was the overture unfortunately of several shootings where those brave enough to wear the badge would fall victim.

Your episode Nate, stuck with me. It stuck because although I didn’t know you, it felt as if I did. I can vividly remember watching as you’d walked past the front desk and into the Patrol Office. I got a sense that you were a cool, unpretentious man. The descriptions of you in the local papers after your death supported my postulation.

You have stuck with me because our Training changed. Officer Survival dedicated a full block to you stressing the importance of establishing a perimeter. Every time I had a bailout and subsequent foot chase YOU were on my mind. In a way, you’ve been my silent partner. A Guardian Angel if you will. I’ve always felt your presence. For years, I instructed rookies under my tutelage the importance of NOT running into a perimeter. Today sadly, not enough officers are getting the message.

Sometimes history has a weird way of repeating itself.

One can only pray that someone from our Training Bureau will revisit that inauspicious day in 1981 so that we don’t go running out the east doors again. Rest in peace my dear brother.

May God bless you and your family.

Sgt. Roalndo Davis
Miami Police

December 25, 2006

To Officer Broom family and friend, Nathaniel is gone but not Forgotten"....

God Bless you

Terry Miyares, surviving spouse
Officer Emilio Miyares, Hialeah PD, Fl 11/6/86

December 7, 2006

Early this October 2006, Sunday morning I wake up early listing to our faviorate christian radio station. I remmember how you always come looking for me for us to go down Savannah to those great church services. It was difficult times in the army in the 70's but because of Nate's smile and personnality those who hate us couldn't do anything but love us. I remmember the day I told him that I was going to re-enlist and he told me how he wanted to go back to the streets of Miami and make a difference. Because of you and me chosing to keep the faith my wife Cassandra and I have been all over the US, Germany, Italy, London and Africia showing families especially the children that they don't have to be in gangs or because everone else is selling drugs or it seems like there is no way out of the family drama or area they live in they can make it. Thank you my brother and my friend. I know that you didn't get a chance on this side to see all the great and wonderful changes in our country and this world. But as you look down on us Broom you helped develop and train some of the greatest men and women who carry the badge seen and unseen (smile). We are continuing the good fight until our Master returns. We love you Broom (Thornton, Young, Harvy, Geogghan, Brown, Diggs, CSM/Ret. Gaddy, MG/Ret. Whithead and the remaining 501 ASA, 24th MP Co & the Mighty 298th MP Det.
Eddie

Staff Sergeant Eddie Thornton Jr.
U.S. Army Retired

October 8, 2006

Thank you for your service to the community of Miami. I will be passing through there tomorrow, where your fellow officers undoubtedly continue your honorable work.

Mike Thomas, Reserve Officer
Albuquerque Police Department

October 7, 2005

Think of you often.Ill see you again.Rest in peace my brother...

O.F.C. E.B.R. Jackson
M.P.D. 1972-1989

June 3, 2005

~~~To those I Love and Those Who Love Me~~~

When I am gone, release me, Let me go
I have so many things to see and do.
You mustn't tie yourself to me with tears,
Be happy that we had so many years.

I gave you my love, you can only guess
How much you gave to me in happiness.
I thank you for the love you each have shown,
But now it's time I traveled alone.

So grieve a while if indeed you must
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It's only for a while that we must part
So bless the memories within your heart,

I won't be far away, for life goes on
So if you need me, call and I will come
Though you can't see or touch me, I'll be near
And if you listen with your heart, you'll
Hear all of my love around you soft and clear

And when you must come this way alone,
I'll greet you with a smile and say,
"Welcome Home"

January 13, 2005

I was fortunate to have known Nathaniel (we called him “Nate”) before joining the department, and to have him as a friend. We worked together then. He was a gentleman, and a professional, always willing to help others. He wanted to make the neighborhood safe for kids to play and to grow up. He was very proud of his family, and was always positive.

He encouraged me when I was going through the academy and talked about the possibility of us riding together as partners. He was the true definition of a friend. I think about him often and have tried to conduct myself as an officer in a manner that would make him proud and honor his memory.

Sgt. James Mann
Miami Police Department

October 28, 2004

Your bravery and dedication wil be remembered.

Inv. Michael Walker
Tallahassee Police Department

February 18, 2004

Almost 20 years has passed and I still think of you often. Rest in peace my dear friend and protect those gates in Heaven well, with all of the other brothers and sisters in blue. We will all meet again one day, but till that day rest; and peace be with you always....

Joseph Caragiulo (retired )
Miami