Former Miami-Dade Police Director Alfredo “Freddy” Ramírez announced this Wednesday his withdrawal from the race for county sheriff in 2024, weeks after a suicide attempt on a Tampa highway.
The Cuban-American Democrat announced his decision in a statement saying he would not seek the office he ran for last May; while county Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said the officer would move on your recovery process reported the media NBC Miami.
“My run for sheriff has always been about public safety and continuing my life’s work of keeping families safe. “Earlier this year, I ran for sheriff with the goal of supporting and guiding a successful transition in the office and ensuring that the department’s mission is accomplished and morale does not change,” he said in a statement.
“That commitment and mission are stronger than ever, and while I will not be running for sheriff in 2024, I look forward to working with the mayor and stakeholders on a successful transition and without issues that place public safety at the heart of every decision,” the statement said.
“I appreciate the well wishes and support from the community over the past few months and will continue to focus on my continued recovery in the coming weeks,” he concluded.
Ramirez was part of the police department He has lived in Miami-Dade for nearly 30 years and is well-liked in Florida’s Cuban-American community.
He was head of the largest department in the southeastern United States and the eighth largest in the country.
In May, he announced his intention to seek election next year for the newly created position of sheriff, similar to the position of police director; and for which he had to compete with nine other candidates.
But although he was considered a favorite by many and enjoyed the support of law enforcement and senior county officials, concerns about his mental health were raised following his suicide attempt.
In a statement released Wednesday, a spokeswoman for Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said the mayor would meet with Ramirez to discuss his recovery and service to the county.
“Freddy’s health experts will guide the next steps regarding the timing of his return and how best he can continue doing the work he loves. At this time, his full recovery is the most important thing,” the statement said.
The suicide attempt occurred on July 23 last year as Ramirez was returning from the Florida Sheriffs’ Association’s annual summer conference at a Marriott hotel in Tampa.
After several hours of discussion with his wife, in the even the hotel police intervened The Cuban shot himself in the head on the highway when he returned to Miami and in front of the woman called 911 for help be transferred to a hospital.
