Honoring Our Fallen Hero – Sergeant Mujahid Ramzziddin

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 HONORING OUR FALLEN HERO

This past Friday, we laid to rest Prince George’s County Police Sergeant Mujahid Ramzziddin.  He lost his life last week defending a neighbor in his Brandywine community from domestic violence by a perpetrator with a history of violence who never should have had a gun.  Sergeant Ramzziddin was a loving husband and father of four.  He was a pillar of his community and his presence provided a sense of safety for his Chadds Ford neighbors.  He literally gave the ultimate sacrifice of his life in defense of another.  We extend our condolences to his family and pray that God’s love gives them comfort and strength during this difficult time.  Last week’s tragedy is a reminder of the daily and unexpected risks that our men and women in law enforcement and public safety face each and every day.  When we think of those in history who we describe as “selfless” or “hero,” there is no more fitting example than Sergeant Ramzziddin.

 The mindless and senseless violence that took Sergeant Ramzziddin’s life last week raises some uncomfortable questions.  Are we doing enough to prevent guns from failing into the hands of people who obviously shouldn’t have them?  No, as also emphasized by the recent school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida by a 19 year-old with a history of mental instability who legally purchased a military style, semi-automatic assault weapon with no useful purpose in civilian society.  Are we doing enough to prevent domestic violence?  Absolutely not, as evidenced by the limited options in our own County for safe places and shelter for survivors of domestic violence.

Sergeant Ramzziddin’s life represented the best of Prince George’s County.  Let us be rededicated to the causes of immediately increasing resources for shelter and housing for survivors of domestic violence in our County and join the national movement for sensible, common-sense regulation of guns.  The lives of our families literally depend on it.

-Mel Franklin, Councilman