Ramirez Drops Out Of Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Race After Shooting Self

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FL — Weeks after shooting himself while pulled over on I-75 in Riverview after a domestic dispute with his wife at a Tampa hotel, Freddy Ramirez has dropped out of the Miami-Dade County sheriff’s race, according to a statement on his campaign website.

Ramirez, 52, served as director of the Miami-Dade Police Department and the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department at the time of the shooting.

Hours before he tried to take his own life on July 23, he tried to resign from these positions by calling Miami-Dade County Mayor Danielle Levine-Cava.

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“My commitment to run for sheriff has always been about public safety and continuing my life’s work to keep families safe. Earlier this year, I filed to run for sheriff to support and guide a successful transition to a sheriff’s office and ensure the mission and work ethic of the department was unchanged,” he said. “That commitment and mission is stronger than ever- and while I will not be a candidate for sheriff in 2024, I look forward to working with the mayor and stakeholders on a successful and smooth transition that puts public safety at the forefront of every decision. I appreciate the community’s well wishes and support over the past few months and will remain focused over the coming weeks on my continued recovery.”

His senior campaign manager, Christian Ulvert, also released a statement about Ramirez ending his campaign.

“Freddy is an incredible leader who loves our community and equally loves his lifelong work in the Miami-Dade police department. Having the opportunity to advise and guide Freddy’s campaign was humbling as I saw firsthand a leader who our community trusts and believes in,” he said. “While he will no longer be a candidate for sheriff, I know his commitment to our community’s well-being and safety is stronger than ever. Our campaign team continues to wish him well on his recovery.”