PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A Philadelphia police officer has died of his wounds, nearly three months after being shot in the neck after stopping a vehicle while on duty, city officials said.
Officer Jaime Roman, 31, who spent 80 days in intensive care without regaining consciousness, died Tuesday night. Roman leaves behind a wife, a 7-year-old daughter and a 4-year-old son. He had been with the department for nearly seven years.
In a statement released Wednesday, the department said the driver was removing personal belongings from the vehicle in the city's Kensington neighborhood on June 22 when Roman noticed an empty holster on the floorboard.
The driver, Ramon Rodriguez Vazquez, 36, of Philadelphia, then ran away, and Roman and his partner chased after him, city police said. Rodriguez Vazquez “then turned and fired three shots,” hitting Roman, according to police.
Rodriguez Vazquez forced his way into a home, where police arrested him.
Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said murder charges would be filed against Rodriguez Vazquez.
Rodriguez Vazquez was previously charged with attempted murder, assault, gun offenses and other counts. George Jackson, a spokesperson for the Defender Association of Philadelphia, which represents Rodriguez Vazquez, declined to comment Wednesday.
Fellow officers stood outside Temple University Hospital to honor Roman Tuesday night as a vehicle drove his body to the Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office.
At a news conference Wednesday, Mayor Cherelle Parker vowed to “not allow his death to be in vain” and ordered city flags to be flown at half staff.
Department leaders at the news conference remembered Roman as a vibrant person who could light up a room, and who had always wanted to be a police officer.
Law enforcement investigate the shooting of Philadelphia Police officer Jaime Ramos in Philadelphia on Saturday, June 22, 2024. (Elizabeth Robertson/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP)
Law enforcement investigate the shooting of Philadelphia Police officer Jaime Ramos in Philadelphia on Saturday, June 22, 2024. (Elizabeth Robertson/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP)
This undated photo provided by the Philadelphia Police Department shows Philadelphia Police Officer Jaime Roman. (Philadelphia Police Department via AP)
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Jackson Merrill hit a two-run homer a few hours after finalizing a $135 million, nine-year contract and the San Diego Padres started 7-0 for the first time in their 57-season history by beating the Cleveland Guardians 5-2 on Wednesday.
Fernando Tatis Jr. raced home on the back end of a double steal to start the scoring in the four-run third inning for the Padres, whose previous best start was 4-0 in 1984, when they went to their first World Series.
The Padres' hot start includes sweeping playoff teams from last year. Before taking three from the Guardians, the Padres swept a four-game series against the Atlanta Braves in a rematch of their NL Division Series, which San Diego won in two games.
Merrill homered in his second straight game, driving the first pitch he saw from Ben Lively (0-1) onto the party deck atop the right field wall. He began his trot, tossed his bat and gestured with his right arm.
Merrill was an All-Star in 2024 and finished second to Pittsburgh pitcher Paul Skenes in NL Rookie of the Year balloting.
Tatis and Luis Arraez hit consecutive two-out singles in the third. Arraez broke for second and drew a throw from catcher Bo Naylor. Arraez pulled up and second baseman Daniel Schneemann turned and threw home too late to catch Tatis. Arraez advanced on Manny Machado's single and scored on José Ramírez's throwing error. Merrill then homered.
Arraez homered leading off the seventh, his first.
Dylan Cease (1-0) held the Guardians to one run and four hits in 6 1/3 innings, struck out seven and walked one.
Robert Suarez pitched a perfect ninth for his third save.
The homer by Merrill, who quickly became a fan favorite last year. He had a bobblehead night Monday and turns 22 on April 19.
Tatis has five stolen bases in seven games. He had 11 last year, when he missed two months with a stress reaction in his right thigh bone.
Guardians RHP Gavin Williams starts Friday night at the Los Angeles Angels. The Padres haven't announced a starter for Friday's game at the Chicago Cubs.
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San Diego Padres' Jackson Merrill, center, rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians 307Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Ben Lively works against a San Diego Padres batter during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
San Diego Padres' Jackson Merrill celebrates with teammates in the dugout after hitting a two-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians 307Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez, right, throws to first too late as San Diego Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr., left, arrives safely to first for a single during the fourth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
San Diego Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. safely steals home to score during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
San Diego Padres' Jackson Merrill, right, celebrates with teammate Manny Machado after hitting a two-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians 307Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
San Diego Padres' Jackson Merrill celebrates with teammates in the dugout after hitting a two-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians 307Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
San Diego Padres' Jackson Merrill watches his two-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians 307Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
San Diego Padres' Jackson Merrill watches his two-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians 307Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
San Diego Padres' Jackson Merrill watches his two-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians 307Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
