26 Jul, 2023 in Recent Events
MIAMI - A shocking incident involving Miami-Dade Police Director Alfredo “Freddy” Ramirez has left the law enforcement community in a state of disbelief. The director is currently in "stable" condition at a hospital in Tampa after reportedly shooting himself.
The incident occurred while Ramirez was attending a Florida Sheriff’s Association conference in Tampa. According to the Miami Herald, it is still unclear whether the gunshot wound was self-inflicted or accidental. This news has shocked the Miami-Dade community, who have watched Ramirez rise through the ranks over the decades.
Daniella Levine Cava, the Miami-Dade Mayor, flew to Tampa overnight upon hearing the news. The mayor had appointed Ramirez as a senior deputy overseeing both the Police and Fire Rescue departments as chief of safety and emergency response last year.
The circumstances that led to Ramirez's hospitalization are still largely unknown. However, law enforcement sources with knowledge of the incident have reported that Ramirez pulled over somewhere along a highway between Tampa and Miami when he shot himself. The exact reasons leading up to the incident remain unclear.
Ramirez, a lifer with the Miami-Dade Police and a candidate for the county Sheriff next year, is a respected figure within the largest police department in Southeast U.S. He joined the Miami-Dade Police in 1995 and worked his way up from patrol duty to deputy director before being named to the top post.
The Miami-Dade Police issued a statement early Monday morning, stating that they had been advised by Tampa Police that Ramirez had suffered a "critical injury," and was undergoing surgery. The Florida Highway Patrol and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement are currently investigating the incident.
This incident serves as a bleak reminder of the mental health challenges that law enforcement officers often face. It underscores the importance of accessible mental health resources and support for those serving in law enforcement roles.
The Miami-Dade Police department and the Ramirez family have expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of support and prayers during this difficult time.
Sources: Miami Herald, Police1