A Philadelphia police officer, 31-year-old Jaime Roman, has passed away from injuries sustained nearly three months ago when he was shot in the neck during a traffic stop while on duty, according to city officials. Roman, who remained unconscious for 80 days in intensive care, died on Tuesday night. He is survived by his wife, a 7-year-old daughter, and a 4-year-old son. The officer had served with the department for close to seven years.
In a statement, the department recounted that on June 22 in the city’s Kensington neighborhood, Roman noticed an empty holster in a vehicle after pulling it over. The driver, identified as 36-year-old Ramon Rodriguez Vazquez of Philadelphia, fled on foot, prompting Roman and his partner to give chase. Rodriguez Vazquez then shot Roman three times before seeking refuge in a nearby residence where he was later apprehended by the police.
Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel announced that murder charges would be brought against Rodriguez Vazquez, who had previous charges including attempted murder, assault, and gun offenses, among others. George Jackson, a representative of the Defender Association of Philadelphia, declined to comment on the matter.
In a tribute to Roman, fellow officers gathered outside Temple University Hospital as his body was transported to the Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office. Mayor Cherelle Parker, during a press conference, expressed determination to ensure that Roman’s death would not be in vain and ordered city flags to be flown at half-staff in his memory. Department leaders remembered Roman as a lively individual with a passion for law enforcement who always aspired to become a police officer.
