Route To Honor Slain PG County Police Officer Friday

UPPER MARLBORO, MD — Authorities have released a detailed route the public can line to honor fallen Prince George's County Police Cpl. Mujahid Ramzziddin on Friday; he died at the hands of a shotgun-wielding man on Wednesday. Residents can pay tribute to the off-duty officer who was trying to keep a neighbor safe from her violent estranged husband, but the normal fanfare that accompanies a slain officer's funeral will be absent. Ramzziddin will be laid to rest in a muted procession to respect his Muslim faith.

Police Chief Hank Stawinski said that there will be no massive procession as there normally would be when an officer dies in the line of service. In order to honor Ramzziddin's Muslim faith, he will be buried within just 48 hours of his passing and the entire service, from procession to internment, will last just 90 minutes.

Ramzziddin was shot five times by Glenn Tydell, 37, a man who had a violent past with a history of domestic violence, Stawinski said. Tydell fled the area and was later shot to death in a confrontation with police. "Our officer ... was grievously wounded and lost his life in this confrontation. Our officer found himself in that circumstance because he was protecting a neighbor who had sought his assistance with an ongoing dispute with the suspect," the chief said.

The service for Ramzziddin begins at 1 p.m. on Friday, will last about a half hour, with only a few individuals speaking for a few moments. Among those attending the funeral will be Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan. At 2 p.m. exactly, the fallen officer's body will be transferred to a hearse for internment.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, offered condolences on the death of Ramazziddin. In a statement, CAIR’s Maryland Representative Zainab Chaudry said: “We offer sincere condolences to the loved ones of Cpl. Mujahid A. Ramazziddin, a noble, courageous officer whose final deed embodies the meaning of his name, which means to struggle or strive in the right path. His sacrifice, service and legacy of protecting those in need will not be forgotten. Indeed, to God we belong, and to Him is our return.”

The salatul janaza, or Islamic funeral prayer, will be held on Friday, Feb. 23, at the Diyanet Center of America located on 9610 Good Luck Road, Lanham, Maryland.

The Prince George's County Police Department outlines how the funeral procession will work:

The funeral ceremony is Friday, February 23, at approximately 1:30 p.m. at the Diyanet Center of America in Lanham.

Due to space and timing concerns at the funeral itself, we are asking officers and members of the public to instead join us along cordons along the procession route.

We must adhere to a strict time schedule in order to honor our corporal’s religious traditions, so we expect to begin the procession to Fort Lincoln cemetery by 2:15 p.m. Fort Lincoln cemetery address: 3401 Bladensburg Road, Brentwood, Maryland.

The internment is private.

The cordon route will be along Route 193 from Good Luck Road to Kenilworth Avenue, and Bladensburg Road from Peace Cross to Fort Lincoln Cemetery.

The department is asking officers to render a salute as the motorcade passes. Civilians should place a hand over their heart. For law enforcement officers, please come to attention as the procession approaches then render a hand salute as the first motors unit pass their position. Maintain the salute until the hearse passes, then complete the salute and remain at attention until the end of the motorcade passes. Officers should not attempt to join the procession, but should instead head directly to FOP Lodge 89 for the repast.

Residents and commuters should plan for road closures and delays in the area of the 9600 block of Good Luck Road and along the procession route.

"These cordons will be an opportunity to share in his passing and respect him and grieve as he transitions from the service to the internment," the police chief said, noting that officers will be able to leave and participate in a celebration of Ramzziddin's life at the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 89 in Upper Marlboro.

Police also plan to hold a vigil on the one-week anniversary of his death, and more details on that will be forthcoming, Stawinsky said.

Image via Prince George's County Police Department