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A Philadelphia officer has died of his injuries from a June shooting | TribLIVE.com
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A Philadelphia officer has died of his injuries from a June shooting

Associated Press
7721774_web1_7721774-35010a62c0ad49bebc404565d4960e1e
Philadelphia Police Department via AP
Philadelphia Police Officer Jaime Roman
7721774_web1_7721774-2251ebd8a4c94675ba53bd3e9cefbce8
The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP
Law enforcement investigate the shooting of Philadelphia Police officer Jaime Ramos in Philadelphia on June 22.
7721774_web1_7721774-08d957159dcb46f68406bc8e851b3490
The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP
Law enforcement investigate the shooting of Philadelphia Police officer Jaime Ramos in Philadelphia on June 22.

PHILADELPHIA — 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.

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Categories: News | Pennsylvania
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