Vigil held in the Bronx for NYPD Officer Miosotis Familia

FORDHAM, Bronx (WABC) -- Miosotis Familia was a police officer, but before that she was a nurse. She was a single mother, a sister, a daughter and she loved by nearly everyone who met her.

On Saturday night in the 46th Precinct where Officer Familia used to work, her sister spoke in front of a sea of officers, firefighters and MTA workers - those Familia served in the community.

CeFaan Kim was at the vigil:

"Me and her used to laugh like crazy all the time. We were seven sisters and three brothers and me and her were the ones that laughed forever all the time. She was such a happy person, and unfortunately she had to go in this way - such a tragic way," said Familia's sister, Adriana Sanchez.

Sanchez showed everyone why her sister was so magnetic.

"I don't know what to say. Her kids are going to miss her immensely. We all are. Her kids were so close to her. I used to tell her 'oh my God, Mio you're so lucky, your kids, they're always kissing you and hugging you' and she's like 'yeah, I've been lucky,'" Sanchez added.

With heavy hearts, candles lit up the night sky the way Officer Familia's smile lit up a room. People mourned from fire escapes, from rooftops and from on top of their parent's shoulders.

Fighting back tears, her colleagues at the 46 Precinct poured their hearts out to the city so we could see what they saw in her every day and in every moment.

Officer Familia grew up in the Bronx and lived in the Kingsbridge section. She was executed senselessly while she was protecting her own community.

Familia leaves behind children, including a set of 12-year-old twins. Her oldest is 20 years old, just a college student. However her family - more than 8 million, are all grieving.

"They say wounds get fixed over time. I don't believe that's so. I believe that you get used to the pain," said PBA President Pat Lynch.

In the words of Familia's commanding officer - he says if her name were spelled with a 'Y', it would be the name of a small herb. An herb commonly referred to as a 'Forget-Me-Not.'

RELATED: Funeral services to be held Tuesday for Officer Miosotis Familia