‘God put her on Earth to be a cop.’ Memorial service remembers NYPD Detective Miosotis Familia

NYPD Detective Miosotis Familia was shot and killed execution style while on duty July 5, 2017 – leaving her three children orphaned, and the oldest daughter, Genesis Villella, to pick up the pieces.

Jodi-Juliana Powell

Jul 5, 2025, 10:37 PM

Updated 9 hr ago

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It’s been eight years since Bronx NYPD Detective Miosotis Familia was killed in the line of duty. On Saturday – friends, family and fellow officers packed the 46th Precinct to honor her during a memorial service.
Familia was shot and killed execution style while on duty July 5, 2017 – leaving her three children orphaned, and the oldest daughter, Genesis Villella, to pick up the pieces.
"I live my life everyday trying to honor my mother. She was a part of me, my best friend," said Villella.
At just 20 years old – Villella had to step up to raise her twin siblings Peter and Delilah.
"I promised mom that I would take care of you and raise you. If anything were to happen to on the job. I plan on keeping my promise," Villella said to her two siblings at her mom's memorial service.
Detective Familia joined the department in 2005. She would have been able to retire this year.
"She told me that God put her on this Earth to be a cop and to protect and serve the Bronx communities that she loved and loved her back," said Villella.
Her children are still trying to get access to their mother’s pension. The law only grants the pension to parents and spouses – leaving out the children of first responders. Something the detective's family has been trying to change since their mother’s death.
Villella says she will never forget the remarkable legacy her mother left behind and will continue to fight until she gets access to her mother's pension.
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