Current:Home > MarketsA Philadelphia officer has died of his injuries from a June shooting -WealthTrack
A Philadelphia officer has died of his injuries from a June shooting
View
Date:2025-04-18 05:18:53
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A Philadelphia police officer has died of his wounds, nearly three months after being shot in the neck after stopping a vehicle while on duty, city officials said.
Officer Jaime Roman, 31, who spent 80 days in intensive care without regaining consciousness, died Tuesday night. Roman leaves behind a wife, a 7-year-old daughter and a 4-year-old son. He had been with the department for nearly seven years.
In a statement released Wednesday, the department said the driver was removing personal belongings from the vehicle in the city’s Kensington neighborhood on June 22 when Roman noticed an empty holster on the floorboard.
The driver, Ramon Rodriguez Vazquez, 36, of Philadelphia, then ran away, and Roman and his partner chased after him, city police said. Rodriguez Vazquez “then turned and fired three shots,” hitting Roman, according to police.
Rodriguez Vazquez forced his way into a home, where police arrested him.
Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said murder charges would be filed against Rodriguez Vazquez.
Rodriguez Vazquez was previously charged with attempted murder, assault, gun offenses and other counts. George Jackson, a spokesperson for the Defender Association of Philadelphia, which represents Rodriguez Vazquez, declined to comment Wednesday.
Fellow officers stood outside Temple University Hospital to honor Roman Tuesday night as a vehicle drove his body to the Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office.
At a news conference Wednesday, Mayor Cherelle Parker vowed to “not allow his death to be in vain” and ordered city flags to be flown at half staff.
Department leaders at the news conference remembered Roman as a vibrant person who could light up a room, and who had always wanted to be a police officer.
veryGood! (232)
Related
- Tarte Shape Tape Concealer Sells Once Every 4 Seconds: Get 50% Off Before It's Gone
- Olympic opening ceremony outfits ranked: USA gave 'dress-down day at a boarding school'
- Life and death in the heat. What it feels like when Earth’s temperatures soar to record highs
- Three members of family gospel group The Nelons killed in Wyoming plane crash
- Opinion: Gianni Infantino, FIFA sell souls and 2034 World Cup for Saudi Arabia's billions
- Takeaways from AP’s story on inefficient tech slowing efforts to get homeless people off the streets
- Andy Murray pulls off unbelievable Olympic doubles comeback with Dan Evans
- Summer Olympic Games means special food, drinks and discounts. Here's some
- Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
- Andy Murray pulls off unbelievable Olympic doubles comeback with Dan Evans
Ranking
- Trump issues order to ban transgender troops from serving openly in the military
- Tom Cruise, John Legend among celebrities on hand to watch Simone Biles
- Feds Contradict Scientific Research, Say the Salton Sea’s Exposed Lakebed Is Not a Significant Source of Pollution for Disadvantaged Communities
- 'Avengers' star Robert Downey Jr. returns to Marvel – but as Doctor Doom
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
- 2024 Paris Olympics in primetime highlights, updates: Ledecky, Brody Malone star
- 2024 Paris Olympics in primetime highlights, updates: Ledecky, Brody Malone star
- How Olympic Gymnast Suni Lee Combats Self-Doubt
Recommendation
Jamie Foxx reps say actor was hit in face by a glass at birthday dinner, needed stitches
Team USA cyclist Chloe Dygert wins bronze medal in individual time trial
Apple has reached its first-ever union contract with store employees in Maryland
Video shows small plane crashing into front yard of Utah home with family inside
Realtor group picks top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: Did your city make the list?
Oldest zoo in the US finds new ways to flourish. See how it is making its mark.
How deep is the Olympic swimming pool? Everything to know about its dimensions, capacity
Watch this driver uncover the source of a mysterious noise under her car hood