Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Police Officer Carlos A. Santiago

Miami Police Department, Florida

End of Watch Tuesday, May 30, 1995

Leave a Reflection

Reflections for Police Officer Carlos A. Santiago

hey tio this is actually the first chance i've gotten to write to you...well just to let you know how much i love you and really miss you now that im living with tia i promise i wont miss not 1 year of the memorial, i've miss the pass three years because i was living with my father and his wife and she wouldn't let me go.well i know your up there watching us and making sure that we are ok..well tio i gotta go mess with tia for little bit...love ya
always SAMMY

SAMMY
NIECE

November 18, 2008

Thank you for your service and God Bless you. May you rest in peace.

Anonymous

October 5, 2008

happy birthday june 13, 2008

wife n kids

June 13, 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

December 14, 2007

G-d Bless.

May 30, 2007

hi tio i know you gone to a better u next to got watchin all those who love you i would of like to meet you and spend time with you ive heard great things about you,ive gone to all your memorials im really sad that i didnt get the chance to meet you but if i would of i'll be so happy well tio i love you i think you the best tio in the world...
love always:
noemi

noemi gonzalez
my uncle

May 5, 2007

God Bless Officer Santiago's family & friends. Stay strong for one another - you are all in our prayers.

Cpl Jean-Paul Rochat
Swiss Army, MP Service, Traffic Unit

July 29, 2006

Happy Father Day:)
Happy Daddy Day :)
we love you

mercy and kids
wife -n- daughter and son

June 19, 2006

happy father day :)
happy daddy day :)


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mercy and kids

June 19, 2006

Officer Carlos A. Santiago I always make a point to view the ODMP and today I read your tribute. Thank you for your dedication to Duty. What great a gift could one ask for than the gift of a loving family, and by reading your reflections you have the greatest gift of all. You left your mark on many hearts. Rest easy Brother.

Detective Thomas Tully
Southampton Town Police, Long Island, N.Y.

May 19, 2006

happy valentine's day

mercy

February 14, 2006

My sweet Valentine
I don't know where you are
But I hope you'll be mine
I send you candy kisses
Love wrapped in a heart
Along with my wishes
For you to be mine
On this day
And till the end of time
I give you me
On this day
Your Valentines, I'll always be
Today, tomorrow and for eternity
I love you my sweet Valentine
And in my heart
You'll always be mine.
------------
You are the only one who can make me happy.When I'm mad or depressed, you are the only one who can put a smile on my face so quickly.The way you kiss me, hold me, tell me you missed me.It makes my life so much brighter.You are the only one who truly makes me feel beautiful.When you tell me I'm beautiful I completely forget all those past insults about being ugly. I, for once, actually feel beautiful.You're strange in that way (a goodway).You have always been the only one who can actually make me feel important,special.I know you care about what I have to say, and even if it's stupid, you'll still listen.The way you say "I love you",how you say those three words alone,make me feel like the luckiest girl in the world. All the times when I get sick,how you care for me and nurse me back to health as best you can.I really do appreciate all the things, even the little ones, you do for me.For all those times you'd put up with me even at my worst moments, I really am grateful.I love how we can always work through our problems, no matter how long it takes. Even the way you act, talk, laugh, smile, and even breathe.It all sends shivers down my spine.I heard somewhere that a heart truly in love never loses hope,but always believes in the promise of love.And I do truly believe we will last forever.I love you and everything about you.I always will love you.
Always and forever,

mercy

February 14, 2006

Well I want to give a dedication to my uncle Carlos A. Santiago. I just wrote a poem with him in mind that brought a tear to my eyes. So many times we don’t realize how much really miss someone until they are truly gone and out of your life. But, as I say, everything has a purpose and a meaning to it, whats the purpose for him passing away, we may not know, but theres a reason for everything that happens. I truly miss my uncle. I never realized how much I missed my uncle until the day he past away that I knew he left the families life for good. Well this poem I just wrote and its dedicated to him.

Poem 2 ma uncle

I was looking at the screen, when I saw the news
of a police man who died and the officer wore blue
as a child I thought "wow!" could this be true?
if I were the one...what would I do?
would I keep it together and continue to work?
knowing my uncle is out there and hurt!
you hope and you prey. Please don't let it be.
please oh please, it is not meant to be.
the silence is painful, the thought runs across your mind
first officer on scene.. Died stopping a crime.
who could have seen it? Who could have known?
why, at the moment, he had to be alone
lights were off his sight was not clear
it was to dark to see so it seemed like everything disappeared
as I watched the news I wondered why?
why must this happen to someone who saves lives?
For someone so great and for some who serves
I would always have my uncle carlos in memory deeply reserved

Jose'
numba 1 Newphew

January 29, 2006

Thank you for your service Officer Santiago. By reading your reflections your family loves you very much. You are still very much a part of their lives. Rest in peace.

Officer
Maryland

January 28, 2006

SORRY THAT I HAVE IT WRITTING FOR A LONG TIME BUT WE ALL MISS VERY MUCH. HOPE YOU COULD BE AROUND US FOR YOU COULD SEE HOW YOUR KIDS HAVE GROWN. AND YOUR WIFE IS AS CRAZY AS EVER BUT WE ALL LOVE HER VERY MUCH ANY WAY

LA COMADRE
AKA ANNIE

September 24, 2005

hey dad i really miss u wish you could be here Happy Birthday carlitos is growin up so fas right before me his even taller then his going to be like grandpa well moms 35 now gets prettyer every year jennfer our doghad puppys 3 past away nand are now n heaven with you but one was lucky enough to stay here with us i named her Fate it means lucky in some type of way she sooo small and cute well as for me im doing really good my birthday just past i had a great time mom bought me 3 different types of cakes they where delicious yummy! tia was making everyone laugh it was fun well i know you where right there with me in some misterious way while i was blowing out my candles...dad i really miss you i hope you know that and even though you were not around to long for me to remember you i do remember you hard to belive but i do remember everynight you would drive off to your destination and we would fight about who was going to give you the last kiss good bye i remember those days clearly.Sometimes i wonder how mom can be so strong for us but im glad she is becouse if she isnt then who will.ohhh yea i past the school going to be a tenth grader so proud of myself well im going to stop right here im not going to say bye becouse i just dont like saying goodbye so ill rite agian soon im going to go beg mom for a new phone so imma let you know one more that we miss you god bless your soul


your baby girl
JESSICA J. SANTIAGO

Jessica J. Santiago

July 6, 2005

WE ALL MISS YOU VERY MUCH. WE ALWAY REMEMBER YOU ON YOUR BIRTHDAY AND ALSO ON THE DAY OF 10 ANNIVERSARY OF YOUR DEATH.WE ALL MISS YOU VERY MUCH LIKE YOUR SON THAT YET TURNED 14 AND SOON YOUR DAUGHTRE WILL BE TRUNING 16 "WOW" AND YOU IS REALLY MISSING YOU VERY MUCH.
YOUR COUSIN THAT LOVE YOU VERY MUCH ANNIE

LA COMADRE "ANNIE"

June 15, 2005

Officer Santiago,
On today, the 10rd anniversary of your dead, I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Miami.

Peter G. Ohlson
Citizen of Miami

May 31, 2005

WHAT IS A COP?

Cops are human ( believe it or not) just like the rest of us. They come in both sexes but mostly male. They also come in various sizes. This sometimes depends on whether you are looking for one or trying to hide something. However, they are mostly big.

Cops are found everywhere-on land, on the sea, in the air, on horses, in cars, sometimes in your hair. In spite of the fact that "you can't find one when you want one", they are usually there when it counts most. The best way to get one is to pick up the phone.

Cops deliver lectures, babies, and bad news. They are required to have the wisdom of Solomon, the disposition of a lamb and muscles of steel and are often accused of having a heart to match. He's the one who rings the door-bell, swallows hard and announces the passing of a loved one; then spends the rest of the day wondering why he ever took such a "crummy" job.

On TV, a cop is an oaf who couldn't find a bull fiddle in a telephone booth. In real life he's expected to find a little blond boy "about so high" in a crowd of a half million people. In fiction, he gets help from private eyes, reporters, and who-dun-it fans." In real life, mostly all he gets from the public is "I didn't see nuttin'."

When he serves a summons, he's a monster. If he lets you go, he's a doll. To little kids, he's either a friend or a bogeyman, depending on how the parents feel about it. He works "around the clock", split shifts, Sundays and holidays, and it always kills him when a joker says. "Hey tomorrow is Election Day, I'm off, let's go fishing" (that's the day he works 20 hours).

A cop is like the little girl, who, when she was good, was very, very good, but, when she was bad, was horrid. When a cop is good, "he's getting paid for it." When he makes a mistake, "he's a grafter, and that goes for the rest of them too." When he shoots a stick-up man he's a hero, except when the stick-up man is "only a kid, anybody coulda seen that."

Lots of them have homes, some of them covered with ivy, but most of them covered with mortgages. If he drives a big car, he's a chiseler; a little car, "who's he kidding?" His credit is good; this is very helpful, because his salary isn't. Cops raise lots of kids; most of them belong to other people.

A cop sees more misery, bloodshed, trouble, and sunrises than the average person. Like the postman, cops must also be out in all kinds of weather. His uniform changes with the climate, but his outlook on life remains about the same: mostly a blank, but hoping for a better world.

Cops like days off, vacations, and coffee. They don't like auto horns, family fights, and anonymous letter writers. They have unions, but they can't strike. They must be impartial, courteous, and always remember the slogan "At your service." This is sometimes hard, especially when a character reminds him, "I'm a taxpayer, I pay your salary."

Cops get medals for saving lives, stopping runaway horses, and shooting it out with the bandits (once in a while his widow gets the medal). But sometimes, the most rewarding moment comes when, after some small kindness to an older person, he feels the warm hand clasp, looks into grateful eyes and hears, "Thank you and God bless you."

February 16, 2005

well i just wanted to tell you that todays valentine's Happy Valentines and that me and litos have made moms day we bought here some great valentines gifts teddy bears,candys, gift cards ,and more and me keep you in mind.I gave mom something on this special day not only because i love her but because i felt like i should have feld in your spot ok daddy im going to stop right here have a great valentines love you tell the end of time mucho besitos bye

Jessica Santiago
Daughter

February 14, 2005

Happy Vaelntine's day

Baby
from Baby mercy

Beautiful moments you've
given to me from the day we
met until the day we apart.

I've cherish each moment
without regret, the time we
spent together just holding
hands and loving each moment.

I hold you in my heart
with burning flames keeping
you warm and safe so memories won't fade

Where ever I may go, what
ever I may do I'll keep that
flame burning until I can return to you

dedicated to my husband, Carlos A. Santiago

mercy
Loveing wife

February 14, 2005

I never had the opportunity of meeting tio Carlos in person due 2 joining the Santiago family a good 3-4 years ago. Although I can say that I have gotten to know a lot about him through the stories of Mercy Santiago. I have been to one of his memorials that took place in Tamiami Park and it was one of the best experiences ever to see how people keep the officers, in which died, alive. Tio, I just wanna tell you that even though we've never met in person, you're considered an uncle to me and I have grown to love you in a way that you have brought Jessica, Carlitos, and Mercy into my life. Merry late Christmas and Happy New Year.

Niece, Jessica Bacallao

February 11, 2005

happy new year baby


from your wife

Mercy Santiago

January 1, 2005

Hi carlos i wish you a merry chistmas & a happy New Year hope you were with us & we all miss you very much

LA COMADRE

December 28, 2004

hey dad MERRY LATE CHRISTMAS christmas was alright this year i mean it could have been better if your where here to injoy but i know you were there look at all our smiles but its ok i got everything i wanted and i went to carlitos god parents house and ate some really yummy food well just wanted to say marry christmas to you and all the readers thank

love always,
jay

Jessica J Santiago
daughter

December 26, 2004

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