A retiring Miami-Dade police dispatcher who helped save the life of a police detective who was viciously attacked was honored during a special retirement celebration Wednesday night.
Beverly Frederick was the calm in the midst of a chaotic scene on April 23, 2010. That was the day Miami-Dade Detective Carlos Castillo was brutally attacked and saw his life flash in front of his eyes.
Castillo, who worked with the Robbery Intervention Detail, was critically injured after authorities say an ex-con slammed a cinder block over the detective's head, and then ran him over with his undercover vehicle.
"That was supposed to be a slow day and it almost ended my life," said Castillo.
Frederick answered Castillo's "officer down" radio call. She was honored yesterday for her ability to calmly facilitate the help needed to aid Detective Castillo on the scene, and help capture his alleged attacker.
"Just to hear your voice and know you're OK meant the world to me," said Frederick. "Believe me, there was a moment right in the beginning when I thought I was going to cry. Instead, I said 'I'm not going to do this right now, I'm gonna get through this.'"
Officers say that thanks to Frederick's heroism and dedication, a detective was given a second chance at life.
Her 35 years of service were honored by members of the Police Benevolent Association, including the man at the helm of the police force.
"If you're not a fan of Beverly you really don't have a heart," said the Director of the Miami Dade Police Department, James Loftus. "And if you're not a fan of both of them together you don't have a soul."
