“It’s a day to remember the sacrifice of Officer Jaime Roman and the ultimate sacrifice that he made for the people of Philadelphia.”
Philadelphia police officer Jaime Roman, who was shot while on duty during a motor vehicle stop in June while Trump was speaking at nearby Temple University, died from his injuries on September 10 after months of hospitalization.
Roman, a six-year veteran of the police force, was shot in the neck in the Kensington neighborhood by 36-year-old Ramon Rodriguez Vazquez. Roman and his partner had pulled over Vazquez for having improper registration on his Toyota. During the stop, officers discovered Vazquez did not have a driver’s license.
As Vazquez was waiting for a tow truck to impound his vehicle, police conducted a search and found a gun holster under a seat. When officers attempted to confront Vazquez about the discovery, he fled on foot and then fired at the officers with a firearm he had in his possession. Roman was struck in the neck by the gunfire. Although Roman's partner returned fire, Vazquez was not hit.
Following being shot, Roman was rushed to Temple University Hospital, where he was admitted in critical condition. He underwent surgery and was placed on a respirator, but after 80 days of intensive care, he succumbed to his injuries.
After fleeing the scene, Vazquez attempted to hide in a garage and held a resident at gunpoint. He also tried to carjack another vehicle but was ultimately apprehended by SWAT officers inside the house. Vazquez has been charged with murder, aggravated assault of a police officer, and illegal firearm possession. Following Roman’s death, the charges will be upgraded from attempted murder to murder, according to Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel.
Commissioner Bethel described Roman as the “nucleus of his family,” noting that he leaves behind two young children, ages 7 and 4. Roman joined the police force at 23, and his father shared that he had “always wanted to be a cop,” according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, who ordered flags across the city to be flown at half-mast, was at the hospital with other officers, praying for Roman and his family.
“It’s a day to remember the sacrifice of Officer Jaime Roman and the ultimate sacrifice that he made for the people of Philadelphia,” Parker said. “We will not allow his death to be in vain.”
“The public health and safety of our city is our number-one priority, and I shall not be moved,” she added.
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