Fallen Prince George's County Police Sgt. Mujahid Ramzziddin remembered at vigil

BRANDYWINE, Md. - A grieving community honored a fallen Prince George's County police officer with a candlelight vigil one week after his tragic death.

While his funeral was held on Friday, this vigil allowed many residents, community members and fellow officers to come out to the Chadds Ford Community Center to pay their respects to Mujahid Ramzziddin in his Brandywine neighborhood. The officer was posthumously promoted to the rank of sergeant, police announced Wednesday.

The 51-year-old was shot to death during a domestic situation in which police say he stepped in to protect a female neighbor from her estranged husband outside of her home.

Hundreds of people came together Wednesday evening to remember the fallen officer who made the ultimate sacrifice. Balloons were released into the night sky for Ramzziddin during the emotional gathering.

Ramzziddin's wife Tammi talked about how he was extremely religious and had been praying a lot over the past few weeks. She said she feels he was prepared, and she was proud that he gave his life helping someone in need.

She also thanked the police chief and all of the officers who have rallied around her family.

"I cry for all of the lost dreams and growing old with my husband," Tammi Ramzziddin told the crowd. "I cry for the trips we plan together. I cry for us not retiring to Florida. I cry for just not spending each and every day together."

She added, "I am beyond heartbroken. I, however, know I am not grieving alone. I must take this moment to thank all of those who have been here helping me and my family, to begin this very slow process of picking up the pieces. For each and every one of us, there will always be a missing piece."

Prince George's County Police Chief Hank Stawinski said the sacrifice Sgt. Ramzziddin made will never be forgotten.

Ramzziddin was a 14-year veteran of the police force in Prince George's County. He was also previously an officer with the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington D.C. Before he began his police career, he served in the Marine Corps and the Air National Guard. He leaves behind five children in addition to his wife.

Police said Sgt. Ramzziddin was killed after being shot at five times with a shotgun by 37-year-old Glenn Tyndell. The suspected gunman then stole Ramzziddin's department-issued weapon from the officer after the killing.

Tyndell then led police on a chase that ended in a shootout, resulting in him being fatally shot by officers.