Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava held a somber if not hopeful news conference Wednesday morning in the aftermath of Police Director Freddy Ramirez's suicide attempt.
The mayor confirmed reports that Ramirez was stable and able to speak. She also revealed that before his fateful departure from Tampa, Ramirez called her to confess what had occurred Sunday at the hotel and resign. An eyewitness, who left the hotel before Tampa Police could retrieve a statement, had reported that a man outside the hotel with a gun was arguing with a woman and threatening to kill himself.
Tampa police said they questioned Ramirez and his wife about the incident. Ramirez had denied pulling out his gun during the domestic dispute and without security camera footage to prove it -- prompting Ramirez to either be arrested or committed to a mental health facility for his safety under Florida's Baker Act law -- police left the scene.
(CBS4)
Miami-Dade Police Director Alfredo “Freddy” Ramirez
The couple was subsequently asked to leave the JW Marriott Hotel, which was hosting the Sheriffs Summer Conference.
On route back to Miami Sunday, Ramirez pulled over on I-75 and shot himself in the temple, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. His wife Jody called 911.
On Tuesday, Mayor Levine Cava appointed Miami-Dade Police Department Deputy Director Stephanie Daniels to the position of MDPD interim director "until further notice."
Ramirez, who until Monday directed the largest police agency in the Southeastern U.S., served in a dual role as director of the Miami-Dade Police Department and chief of safety and emergency response. He was responsible for oversight of both the Miami-Dade PD and Fire Rescue Department.
(@MiamiDadePD/Twitter)
Miami-Dade Police Director Freddy Ramirez presenting Deputy Director Stephanie Daniels with her 30-year service award in February.
Daniels grew up in Liberty City and started as an officer in 1992. She was promoted to MDPD deputy director in March, becoming the first woman to hold the position.
JD Patterson, who oversees the county's Corrections and Rehabilitation Department, became the interim chief of public safety, responsible for the administration's public safety portfolio including MDPD and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, Levine Cava said.
Both were present at the Wednesday morning news conference, along with Commission Chair Oliver G. Gilbert, III.
After the initial incident made headlines, Miami-Dade PD issued the following statement.
"The entire Miami-Dade Police Department stands together behind Freddy and asks that our community continue to keep him in their prayers."
(@AFreddyRamirez/Twitter)
Freddy Ramirez and his wife Jody with their son Brandon at Brandon’s MDPD promotion ceremony in April.
"Law enforcement is a demanding and stressful career and occupation," said FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass. "And Director Ramirez has dedicated nearly 30 years of his life to public service and keeping the citizens of Miami-Dade safe. Today is a tragic day in Florida."
In 2015, Miami-Dade County's first Black police director, Robert Parker, killed himself six years after retiring.
Ramirez and his wife were high school sweethearts and have been married since 1995, according to his campaign website. The couple have four children and are also grandparents. One of Ramirez's sons, Brandon, is a sergeant with MDPD.
(Facebook)
Mothers Fighting for Justice founder Romania Dukes flanked by then Deputy Police Director Freddy Ramirez and Police Director Juan Perez in an undated photo.
Several Florida officials shared statements on Twitter after news broke of Ramirez's injury.
"To many of us he is not just a colleague, but a friend. Please keep Freddy & his family in your thoughts & prayers," Miami-Dade County Commission Chair Oliver G. Gilbert, III wrote.
Romania Dukes, community activist and founder of Mothers Fighting for Justice, posted "Anyone who knows me know how much they mean to me. Say a prayer for my friend, my brother [Ramirez] ... I'm hurting ... my heart can't take no more."
The FDLE and Florida Highway Patrol are still investigating the incident.
This article has been updated to reflect additional information from the original posting.