Miami

Miami-Dade Bomb Squad Honored with Award from Police

It was a violent end to an hours-long standoff, which stemmed from a bank robbery in July. The suspect wreaked havoc on Miami Beach, even sparking a bomb scare.

The Miami-Dade Bomb Squad jumped into action and defused the problem. Now, the Miami Beach Police Department is thanking those officers with an award.

"Our reliance and dependence upon the bomb squad is also exceptional and extraordinary and they are a group of true professionals and that was never more proven on July 2," said Police Chief Dan Oates.

That's the day a man robbed a bank on 41st Street on Miami Beach in the middle of the afternoon. He left behind a suspicious item that warranted the attention of the bomb squad.

The ordeal paralyzed the neighborhood and the bomb squad eliminated the threat.

"Congratulations and thank you on behalf of our department," said Chief Oates, who insisted on personally thanking them and recognizing their efforts with a plaque.

Eight officers make up the Miami-Dade County Police Department's Bomb Squad, all of them were involved on that July day, and as one officer put it: The job's not for everybody.

"It is not human nature. You want to get away from that stuff, you don't want to walk up on it and have to deal with it. So they are a special breed of individuals that have a lot of courage," said Sgt. Helio Gonzalez.

"It's impractical for us to have a bomb squad for a city of 90,000. It's crucial for the region to have a bomb squad and these guys are super pros, and to have an opportunity to come here to recognize them in front of all you. We hope this gets wonderful coverage," Chief Oates said.

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