ORLANDO, Fla. -- Patricia Small’s only son, Noel, was murdered in Orlando two years ago. He was on the way home to have dinner with his new wife.

"This person came up and ambushed him, shot him point-blank. He bled to death in six hours," said Patricia Small

Small visits her son’s grave often and waits for police to find his killer. Noel’s murder is one of more than 85 in Orlando in the last two years. But 9 Investigates has learned the Orlando police returned that $11-million to the city's coffers.

"All of it should be used, we have a right to a safe community" said Patricia Small.

"That’s a lot of money. Five to six percent of the budget," said Sam Hoffman, who chairs the Orlando police union. He says the money should have been used, not returned.

"We have a crime problem and we need as many officers on the streets as we can," said Hoffman.

So why would the department return money when crime continued to increase?

"Don’t spend money just because it’s in your budget," said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.

Mayor Dyer said the Orlando Police Department is being a good steward of the taxpayers' money.

Currently, Orlando has 758 officers. According to staffing reports, 78 of them are tied up in the academy, training, military leave or are on light duty.

"It’s not unusual each week to get calls from supervisors telling me that they are only fielding two to three people a night on a squad which is normally designed to have seven to ten," said Hoffman.

Hoffman is hoping the city’s new police chief will use all the money this year and increase staff.

Chief Val Deming said she does plan on using the entire amount.