Dangerous Car Stops Claim Another Cop

Broad & Liberty ran my piece on dangerous car stops.

You can read the piece via the below link or the below text:

Paul Davis: Dangerous car stops claim another cop’s life (broadandliberty.com)

Dangerous Car Stops Claim Another Cop

By Paul Davis

Philadelphia Police Officer Jaime Roman (seen in the above photo) died on September 10th, three months after he was shot while performing a motor vehicle investigation, commonly called a “car stop” by the police.

Roman, a 31-year-old and six-year police veteran, survived and was hospitalized until his death from the shooting.   

The Philadelphia Police Department issued the below statement on September 11th:

“It is with a profound sadness that we announce the passing of our brave 25th District colleague and brother, Police Officer Jaime Roman. Officer Roman passed away shortly after 8:30 PM on 9/10/24, surrounded by his loving family.”

It was on the evening of June 22, 2024, that Officer Jaime Roman and his partner, both assigned to the 25th Police District pulled over a blue Toyota Echo on the 3600 block of F Street. During the traffic stop, the officers discovered that the vehicle lacked registration and insurance, and the driver did not have a license.

While allowing the driver, 36-year-old Ramon Vazquez, to remove personal belongings from the vehicle, one of the officers spotted an empty holster on the floorboard. As the officer held up the holster, the suspect fled on foot, with both officers pursuing the man.

Vasquez then turned and fired three shots at Officers Roman and his partner, striking Officer Roman in the neck. Officer Roman’s partner returned fire and then rendered aid to his injured partner before transporting him to the hospital.

Vazquez fled the location but was later apprehended after forcing his way into a residence on the 800 block of E. Schiller Street. A firearm and magazines believed to be used by Vasquez were recovered from the scene. Vazquez is currently in custody and his charges are expected to be upgraded.

Officer Roman remained in intensive care at Temple University Hospital until he succumbed to his injuries on the evening of September 10, 2024.

“It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the loss of Officer Jaime Roman, a dedicated and courageous member of our department,” said Police Commissioner Kevin J. Bethel. “Jaime’s unwavering commitment to serving and protecting our community was an inspiration to us all. His passing leaves a void that cannot be filled. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and the entire PPD family during this difficult time.” 

“We will forever honor his sacrifice.”

Jamie Roman is the latest police officer to die from a car stop, which police officers have told me is one of the most dangerous police actions a cop can take. 

In my many years of covering the police, I’ve gone out on many a ride-along with Philadelphia police officers and I’ve observed the cops pull over cars and approach the car’s driver with apprehension and adherence to professional procedure.

I recall first hearing about the dangers of car stops when I attended the pilot class of the Philadelphia Police Department’s Civilian Police Academy back in 1994. 

On assignment for the South Philadelphia Review, I attended the pilot class at the Philadelphia Police Academy’s paramilitary compound on State Road in Northeast Philly every Tuesday night for twelve weeks. The sessions were designed to run the civilian “recruits” through a miniature version of what actual police recruits go through in the Police Academy. 

The first 40 citizens attending the class were a mixed lot consisting of Police District advisory council members, town watch volunteers, members of the clergy, community leaders, political aides, corporate security people, police spouses, and one reporter – me.

“This program is intended to show how the police and citizens interact through the concepts of community policing and explore how information can be exchanged that would enhance the relationship between the police department and the community,” then-Police Commissioner Richard Neal wrote in his introductory letter. 

The Civilian Police Academy’s slogan, Neal wrote, is “Understanding Through Education and Training.”      

It was during week two that car stops were addressed by Police Lt. William Hughes, then an instructor at the Police Academy. He noted that the law states that probable cause or reasonable suspicion, such as an expired tag or registration, allows an officer to perform a low-risk stop. 

“A low-risk stop does not involve a felony, and the occupants do not have weapons to the best of the officer’s knowledge,” Hughes told those in attendance. “Although a low-risk stop can quickly elevate into a high-risk one.”

Hughes said that the officer uses dome lights, head lights, sirens, or the horn to indicate a stop. The police officer should then call the dispatcher and give the location of the car stop, the color and make of the stopped car and indicate that the officer is a one-person vehicle. “I am solo,” or “two man.” Communication and caution are essential, Hughes said.

Police officers are trained to write the tag number on their log prior to the car stop. They should always keep their eyes on the car’s occupants. The officers should check the car’s trunk before approaching the driver. If the trunk is opened, close it and step back. Nothing should ever be in the officer’s gun hand. 

“High-risk or felony car stops are a team effort,” Hughes said. “Back-up units are essential. If the officer knows that the car’s occupants are armed and dangerous. he or she orders the suspects out into the street and places them in a prone position on the ground. Little is left to chance.”

Like the true police recruits, the civilian recruits sat through a Texas police officer’s unit video that recorded his death. After he stopped a car containing occupants suspected of dealing drugs, the officer was punched, kicked, and shot to death with his own service weapon. 

The video was shocking, which is why police recruits are shown it. 

The car stop police training has no doubt saved many an officer’s life. But even with extensive training, officers like Jamie Roman can be killed when a dangerous car stop turns deadly.

Paul Davis, a Philadelphia writer and frequent contributor to Broad + Liberty, also contributes to Counterterrorism magazine and writes the “On Crime” column for the Washington Times. He can be reached at pauldavisoncrime.com.