Daughter commemorates death of her mother, who was killed in the line of duty in 2017

A daughter marks the seventh anniversary of the death of her mother, Detective Miosotis Familia, who was killed in the line of duty.

“My mother was my person and when she died, when she was killed and taken from us, a part of me died too,” said Genesis Villella, Familia’s daughter.

Villella says the Fourth of July will never be the same for her family.

“The last day I saw my mother was the Fourth of July, one of her favorite holidays,” Villella said.

Villella was 20 years old when she adopted her brother and sister after their mother died. Her twin siblings are now 19 years old.

“Peter and Delilah are in college now. They just finished their first year and are now doing an internship,” Villella said.

Villella says she is still pushing for the passage of a law that would allow her and her siblings access to her mother’s pension.

Under current law, children of killed officers only receive pension benefits until they reach the age of 23, after which they are canceled.

“The law provides for surviving spouses and surviving parents. And for orphans. So children without parents were never considered,” said Villella.

Villella says she is grateful that people have not forgotten her mother’s sacrifice. And she sees people praying in front of her mother’s mural every day.

A memorial service is scheduled to take place on Friday in the 46th district to mark the anniversary of her mother’s death.

Villella also established a scholarship in honor of her mother to be awarded to students who are passionate about pursuing a career in law enforcement and who possess the qualities of a future exemplary NYPD officer.