With all due respect and thoughts and prayers to former Miami-Dade Police Director Alfredo “Freddy” Ramirez, who shot himself in the head off the side of I-75 last weekend, the 2024 election for county sheriff has just become a real race.
Ramirez, who was still recovering at a Tampa Hospital after a self inflicted gunshot wound administered on the side of the road with his wife in the car, was the clear frontrunner by a long distance before this. Last weekend, while staying at a Tampa hotel for a state sheriff’s association event, there was some kind of domestic dispute. Ramirez was asked to leave after other guests reported he had been brandishing a gun outside.
Before he shot himself, Ramirez called Mayor Daniella Levine-Cava and offered his resignation, saying he had made a mistake. The event was apparently something he thought would hurt him professionally. La Alcaldesa said she told him to come home and they would talk about it.
But, by then, he must have known his political career was over. Or, at the very least, sidelined.
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This is no judgment on Ramirez. Mental health is not something to take lightly or discriminate against and people in his profession have an understandable super ratio of depression, anxiety and post traumatic stress (hats off also to nurses, doctors, firefighters and 911 dispatchers). Ramirez has been with Miami-Dade Police for nearly three decades, which means he has seen a lot of awful shit. Most recently, he was a constant figure at the Surfside Champlain Towers tragedy.
But his personal setback is a boon to the other candidates in the running and may even bring someone new to the race who had been unwilling to fight Ramirez’s almost certain victory.
Retired Miami-Dade Police Lt. Rickey Mitchell, another candidate, immediately sent out a statement extending his “heartfelt thoughts and prayers” to Ramirez and his family. “This incident is deeply saddening, and we hope for his full recovery and a return to good health,” Mitchell said in a statement.
“Upon learning about the tragic incident involving Director Ramirez, Rickey Mitchell expressed deep concern and a desire for the Director’s well-being and swift recovery,” the statement reads. “Director Ramirez’s commitment and service to our community throughout his career as a Miami-Dade Police lifer have not gone unnoticed, and his leadership has been crucial in maintaining public safety and upholding the law in our county.
“Director Ramirez’s dedication to protecting our community has been evident throughout his impressive tenure with the Miami-Dade Police Department. As a fellow law enforcement officer, Rickey Mitchell acknowledges the immense responsibility and challenges that come with this role. He commends Director Ramirez for his commitment and unwavering service, which have undoubtedly made a positive impact on the lives of countless residents in our county.”
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Of course, the statement also mentioned why Mitchell — who has loaned himself $275,000 for the campaign — is a good candidate for sheriff.
He “firmly believes in prioritizing public safety, fostering community collaboration, and implementing effective policing strategies to address the unique needs of Miami-Dade County. His 25-year career with the Miami-Dade County Police Department, coupled with his experience in running a funeral home business and a diverse educational background, have shaped his vision for a safer and stronger community.”
The other candidates who are not necessarily celebrating Freddy’s downfall as much as breathing a sigh of relief, are Miami Police Officer Ruamen de la Rua, the first to throw his hat in the ring, former Miami-Dade Police Officer Mario Knapp and Jaspen Bishop, who nobody seems to know.
So the race now is really between Mitchell and de la Rua, unless someone else steps in. Still in the wings, former Miami-Dade Commissioner Joe Martinez, who friends say is confident that the bribery charges against him will be dismissed or that he’ll be acquitted.
Freddy Ramirez suicide attempt leaves a real open race for Miami-Dade sheriff added by Ladra on
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[…] Read related: Freddy Ramirez suicide attempt leaves a real open race for Miami-Dade sheriff […]
Since Scott Israel was mentioned , he got what might be a part time job which can be done from home not bad at 65K.
”After losing his job in the wake of the 2018 Parkland school shooting, former Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel is back at work — monitoring the footage from red light cameras in Davie, a town north of Miami, the Sun-Sentinel reported.
Israel will earn $65,000 a year to review video from five cameras and go to court if anyone challenges a ticket.
https://nypost.com/2021/05/15/sheriff-fired-after-parkland-shooting-is-reportedly-back-at-work/
Everyone thinks we’re getting a Grady Judd type of Sheriff. We’re getting a cross between Scott Israel and, Tallmadge Buchanan. An inept political hack who’s getting access to tens of millions of budget money he can spread around to benefactors. Dade County rightfully votes to get rid of the Sheriff. We’ve enjoyed professional law enforcement for decades. You can thank Joe Martinez for his lobbying efforts to feather his own bed and sell Miami-Dade up the river.
Once Again, I find myself having to set the record straight on behalf of my personal character and that of my campaign.
For starters, to assume that I am “breathing a sigh of relief” after someone has seriously injured themselves, because that might make a way for me to get ahead in this election is disgraceful and distasteful. I ask that my name is never again associated with such derogatory statements.
I too have shared my condolences for the Ramirez family on my social media platforms in the early hours of the morning, following Freddy and his wife Jody’s unfortunate series of events in Tampa.
My concerns that day, and still today remain for his family, every employee of the agency and the community as a whole. I strongly believe that the county’s leadership focus needs to be distributed equally across our county for real healing to take place.
Just because one man’s life hits pause, does not mean the rest of our lives stop. What support is being offered to ALL of the people who have been effected by this travesty, especially his wife Jody?
Domestic violence is a serious problem that needs to be met head on, not swept under the rug or misconstrued as a mental illness. The truth still lies beneath, and only time will tell what provoked him to shoot himself. I will continue to pray for answers and healing.
I do not discredit the good things the director has done throughout his career, but he is not and never has been the only person who can make a difference in Miami-Dade County.
We DO NOT need another Mama’s Daniela Boy ? We Need areal Sheriff W/ Non POLITICIANS TIEDS Able To Clean The Miami Dade Swamp !!!!!!!!!!!!
Since Ladra knows police she knows what the fight with his wife was about just like rest of us who know police know what his mistake was .
I heard he was very good like Jose Carrillo has stated but time now to fade away .
Someone in police dept I know told me he lost an eye but have not read hat anywhere .
I’m still waiting to hear the reason/s why he tried to kill himself. Will that ever come to light?
Joe Martinez is by far best suited to be our next Sheriff. He was a command level officer with MDPD before becoming a County Commissioner and was a two time chairman. He’s now embroiled in our own local witch hunt. Is it because the State Attorney and The Mayor fear what would be an honest assessment of there office?Politics at work!
Freddy Ramirez is one hell of a Director no matter what occurred in Tampa.
Joe Martinez is our next Sheriff once he beats not his charges his framing
Your not even close of mentioning the real serious candidates. Ex Director Juan Perez and Ex police chief Jorge Colina. If any of the two decide it’s over for the others.