DORAL, FLA. (WSVN) - Miami-Dade Police Director Alfredo Ramirez announced that he will not run for Miami-Dade Sheriff in 2024 in order to continue focusing on his recovery from what police said was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The 52-year-old, who has dedicated his entire career to public safety, confirmed his decision in a statement released Wednesday.
In the statement, Ramirez wrote,
“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.”
The statement continued, reading in part,
“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.”
Ramirez’s senior campaign advisor, Christian Ulvert, spoke with 7News on the police director’s behalf about his decision.
“He made a decision that he didn’t take lightly, to put the department first, to put this community first. It was best that he recede from the campaign and announce his withdrawal as a candidate for sheriff,” he said.
Ramirez on Sept. 15 returned to South Florida nearly two months after, authorities said, he shot himself on the side of Interstate 75 south of Tampa.
In July, officer-worn body camera footage captured Tampa Police officers confronting Ramirez while he was attending a law enforcement conference at a JW Marriott hotel.
Someone reported to police that they saw a couple fighting at the hotel and a man putting a gun into his mouth.
Ramirez and his wife, Jody Ramirez, issued a statement that there was no physical altercation between them, adding the report that Ramirez took his gun out at the hotel is false.
Investigators said Ramirez turned the gun on himself after pulling over to the side of Interstate 75.
“What we do know is that Freddy is someone that as earned the trust and support of this community, putting his life on the line for nearly three decades,” said Ulvert.
Ulvert also released a statement regarding Ramirez’s decision to not run for Miami-Dade Sheriff. It reads as follows,
“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. 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.”
The Miami-Dade Mayor’s office also released a statement in regards to Ramirez’s decision that reads as follows,
“The next steps will be guided by Freddie’s health, professionals on the timing of his return and the best path forward for his to continue to doing that work that he loves.”
While Ramirez isn’t running for sheriff, there are still nine other candidates vying for the position.
According to Ulvert, Ramirez still plans to help with the transition to turn the department into a sheriff’s office.
“As I’ve said, I know that his voice will continue because Freddy is someone that believes in policing. He has a love, he carries it in his DNA, for the Miami-Dade Police Department,” said Ulvert.
Ramirez is expected to meet with Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, not only to talk about his recovery but his future with the department.
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