THE NEWS SAYS: You consoled them in their darkest hours.

Three children lost their mother in an instant. New York City lost a brave and dedicated keeper of the peace in a fury of violence. And Daily News readers displayed stunning generosity in memory of NYPD Detective Miosotis Familia, contributing by the hundreds to a fund established for her family.

On Tuesday, Daily News Charities presented Familia’s 20-year-old daughter, Genesis Villella, and 12-year-old twins Delilah and Peter Vega with $263,682 in reader donations.

In letters and cards, you consoled them in their darkest hours.

The Daily News gave $10,000, and Al Sharpton’s National Action Network another $5,000. Even those who had no funds to give offered what they could. Wrote one: “I am a trained tutor and would like to offer my services free of charge to the Familia children.”

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts and theirs. Thank you too to Police Commissioner Jimmy O’Neill and other top NYPD leadership for joining Familia’s family in the Daily News newsroom, reaffirming their commitment to never forget their fallen or the families left behind.

No sum can replace the loving mother lost to an armed maniac who stormed her mobile command vehicle in the Bronx on the overnight shift July 5. But check by check, card by card, a moment’s thought multiplied by so many who gave so richly will also never be forgotten by two daughters and a son so deserving.