rename a portion of Southwest 162nd Street to honor his memory in April<\/a>.<\/p>\nThe 9-year-old was abducted and murdered in 1995, a crime that shook the community and captured national attention.<\/p>\n
Now three decades later, his memory is still alive.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot to remember the tragedy, but to remember the community that came together,\u201d said Miami-Dade District 8 Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins.<\/p>\n
For years, neighbors and volunteers have maintained a memorial near the spot where Jimmy disappeared.<\/p>\n
Flowers, pinwheels and a baseball mitt are just some of the small gestures meant to keep his memory alive.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe memory, that was a tragic incident that occurred, and the memory of keeping it fresh in everybody\u2019s mind,\u201d said Edward Montazon.<\/p>\n
Edward and Kathy Montazon are among the volunteers who maintain the memorial year-round.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe memory that it was a tragic incident that occurred, and the memory of keeping it fresh in everybody\u2019s mind,\u201d said Edward.<\/p>\n
They make sure to change it for holidays, birthdays, and other special occasions.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have so many new people now and families, and they don\u2019t know the story, and it\u2019s nice to know the story, and it\u2019s beautiful that the street is being named, you know, for him,\u201d said Kathy.<\/p>\n
The ceremony also took the time to highlight the progress made since Jimmy\u2019s death.<\/p>\n
Bloodhounds donated through the Jimmy Ryce Foundation stood by as a reminder of the tools that are now available to help find missing children.<\/p>\n
But for the people who lived through those difficult days in 1995, the emotions still feel raw as ever.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt just was heartbreaking, but back at that time, we were just so shocked, and it was so disgusting,\u201d said Cheryl Johnson, a South-Dade resident. \u201cThere\u2019s a peace, it\u2019s almost like he\u2019s happy, his spirit is happy that the community is together and we\u2019re still doing this.\u201d<\/p>\n
And now, with his name marked on a stretch of road in the community that never forgot him, his memory will continue for generations to come.<\/p>\n
Supporters said they hope it\u2019ll continue to serve as a daily reminder of Jimmy\u2019s life, legacy and the importance of keeping children safe.<\/p>\n
Copyright 2026 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.<\/p>\n
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