By Chief Fred Maas, Sunny Isles Beach Police Department

I often wondered what David Langworthy felt growing up, hearing only stories and reading articles of his father, Town Marshal Ralph Langworthy.  After all, David’s mother was only 5 months pregnant with him, when word of his father’s death as a peace officer on duty, reached the young widow.  That was almost 80 years ago, but because of the desire and passion to preserve “history” in the Community of Sunny Isles Beach, we can know everyday how Dave Langworthy felt.  In fact he told us, in person.

            At the “young” age of 72, David Langworthy was found alive and well, living in the area of Lake Placid, Florida.  A former Sunny Isles Beach police officer, now with Miami Dade police, knew of the street dedication to the respected Town Marshal Ralph Langworthy, by the City Commission of Sunny Isles Beach.  Actually, it was through extensive historical research by noted historian Dr. Wilbanks, that the exact spot (172 street and Collins Avenue) was determined where the Marshal was killed back in 1927.  Miami Dade police officer Larry Restagno, a resident of Sunny Isles Beach, located and informed Dave Langworthy of the street dedication in his hero’s memory.  Dave agreed to come down one day and pay a visit to our city, our commission, our police department.  And what a day it turned out to be.

            You see, through a wonderful program instituted years ago by President John Rivera and the Dade County Police Benevolent Association, a street naming memorial was implemented at the very location where police officers had been killed in the line of duty.  When the list was compiled, it took the City Commissions of each respective city to pass a resolution and approve the memorial.  In the case of Sunny Isles Beach, the council acted immediately and in record time; because history has a special place in our city, and “heroes” even more so.  In fact, when Dave Langworthy came to visit our city and see the memorial to his father, what a reception he was given.  Almost the entire staff of the Dade County Police Benevolent Association attended, the entire city commission attended, residents turned out and of course, many from the police and fire department came to celebrate.  When Officer Larry Restagno personally drove Dave Langworthy down to Sunny Isles Beach, I can only imagine how his heart must have felt when he saw for the first time the street named after his hero and his father.  Actually, I do know how he felt because at some point during the day’s celebration, he pulled me aside, took me by the arm and whispered in my ear, “I will never forget this day and what you all have done for me and my family.”  I remember those words as if they were yesterday, but it’s been a good 8 or 9 years since.

            After a day of surprises, because Dave brought many items of interest for public viewing, including his father’s star (badge), his daily notebook filled with entries of calls handled back then, his father’s service weapon and other uniform apparel and work items that Dave treasured over the years.  What an interesting and rewarding day it turned out to be for a family and a city.  And all because someone had an idea to give fallen heroes a memorial where they fell.  And because a local police officer cared enough to stop an old man whose last name he recognized and tell him about a special street in the city where he worked.  And all because a city cared enough about history and preserving it and special people to say “yes” and recognize them.

            The next year following the celebration of locating Dave Langworthy, at the tender age of “73” he was asked to be the guest speaker at the annual police memorial ceremony for Miami-Dade County.  He was incredible!  Thru tears and heavy emotion, he spoke of how it felt growing up, never meeting or knowing his hero and father.  He spoke of how hard it was on his mother, learning of her husband’s death, while having two small children to care for and being pregnant with a third; only to learn her husband was never coming home, ever.  Unfortunately, history repeats itself and is eerily similar to so many other families in law enforcement.  One for sure comes to mind in the name of Linda (Mertes) Loizzo and her three daughters.  Eerily similar!

            One might ask, why all the fuss, why now?  Well, I believe we are all connected in some small way.  Former Assistant Director Frank Boni told us that in his memorial speech, years ago.  Current Assistant Director James Loftus reminded us that we are.  History, heroes, family, the job, it does connect us all.

            But the main reason for all this fuss?  On Thursday, May 7, 2009, while I was attending the Police Memorial at Tropical Park, to the largest crowd in attendance ever as witnesses; my phone went off delivering a message from Officer Larry Restagno.  “Dave Langworthy just died!”  During the middle of the very ceremony honoring heroes like his own father; his father Marshal Ralph Langworthy whom Sgt. Bobby Randazzo (Honor Guard) and I had just saluted as his name was read on the roll call of honor.  The very ceremony where he became the guest speaker and talked about the heroic father he never met.  The same man who pulled me aside one day and said “I will never forget what you all have done for my family.”  The same man whose smile I will never forget each time I drive by 172 street and Collins Avenue and see the memorial street sign, not only to his father but now also to him and his family, thanks to the efforts of the Dade County Police Benevolent Association, and the City of Sunny Isles Beach.

            “We are all connected!”  Rest in peace David Langworthy, your job here is done!

            Writer’s Note:  There are many to thank for the success of the honor that the Langworthy family enjoys.  They include:

John Rivera, President, Dade County Police Benevolent Association

Executives and Staff, Dade County Police Benevolent Association

Stephanie Womble, Dade County Police Benevolent Association

Police Memorial Planning Committee (P.O.A.T.)

Miami Dade Police Officer Larry Restagno

Past City Commission of Sunny Isles Beach headed by

Mayor David Samson.

Current City Commission headed by Mayor Norman Edelcup

Sunny Isles Beach Police Department

Assistant Director James Loftus and

Retired Assistant Directors Steve Rothlein and Frank Boni

Every family of every hero on “That Wall.”

God Bless and Keep You Safe!