The head of Florida’s largest police department, Miami-Dade County, is in stable condition after surgery following a self-inflicted gunshot wound. 

Alfredo “Freddy” Ramirez shot himself on Monday, July 24, after an altercation with his wife, Jody Ramirez, at the JW Marriott hotel in Tampa during a conference of sheriffs’ associations.

Tampa police responded to a call concerning an arguing couple and a man possessing a firearm, identified later as Ramirez. On evaluating the situation and finding no immediate threat, officers exited the scene. Ramirez, aged 52, later pulled over on Interstate 75 after leaving the hotel and shot himself. His wife promptly dialed 911, resulting in Ramirez’s hospitalization for emergency surgery.

According to Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Ramirez resigned before he shot himself. She said she spoke to him on Sunday and he told her he had made some “mistakes.”

Ramirez, serving the agency for 27 years and presently positioned as Miami-Dade police director and county safety and emergency response chief, had assumed office in January 2020. He had announced plans to run for Miami-Dade County sheriff in 2024 amid the county’s transition from appointed to elected law enforcement roles.

The incident coincided with the first day of the Florida Sheriffs Association’s summer conference, involving over 500 national law enforcement leaders.