A tragic event shook the city of Philadelphia nearly three months ago when Officer Jaime Roman was shot in the neck during a foot chase after a traffic stop in Kensington. The 31-year-old officer fought bravely for his life but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday night, as confirmed by Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel in a heartfelt social media post.
In the aftermath of the incident on June 22, the suspected shooter, Ramon Rodriguez Vázquez, faces new charges, including murder, following the death of Officer Roman. Vázquez, 36, who had already faced multiple charges, allegedly fired three shots at police officers during the pursuit after fleeing the initial traffic stop.
“It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that our brave officer, P/O Jaime Roman, passed away this evening while surrounded by family,” Bethel’s message on X, formerly Twitter, read. “Jaime was shot in the line of duty back in June, and had bravely fought since.”
Mayor Cherelle Parker also expressed her condolences for Officer Roman’s family and announced that all city flags would be flown at half-mast in his honor. The mayor emphasized the challenging nature of police work and called for support for officers during this difficult time.
Officer Roman, a six-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police, had dedicated most of his career to serving in the 25th District. His tragic death serves as a reminder of the risks law enforcement officers undertake daily to protect their communities.