Sergeant Noel Ramirez, 30, and Deputy Sheriff Taylor Lindsey, 25, were eating lunch together at Ace China restaurant in a small Florida town Thursday afternoon, when a gunman approached the window and shot both of them. Within minutes, squad cars were at the restaurant, where deputies, many of whom worked beside Sergeant Ramirez and Deputy Lindsey, found the policemen dead.
Sheriff Bobby Schultz III spoke to a gathering of people --- reporters, police officers and saddened community members.
"The world's full of cowards and the world's full of heroes,” Shultz said during the press conference. “And we need to highlight those heroes and what they gave. We're going to grieve, we're going to get upset, were probably going to cus a little bit. But at the end of the day, we're going to remember those two men for what they are, and they're heroes."
Florida Governor Rick Scott said in response to the shooting: "It is true evil for anyone to hurt a law enforcement officer, and in Florida, we have zero tolerance for violence, especially against the police. Tonight, I ask every Floridian to honor these law enforcement officers, their brothers and sisters in uniform and their families. May God bless those who work to keep our communities safe.”
Sgt. Ramirez had been on the force for 7 years, since he was 23, and had recently earned a promotion to Sergeant. He was married, with children.
Who will speak for them? Who will march on Washington? Who will ask for justice?
Deputy Lindsay had been on the force for three years. He left behind a girlfriend.
Police haven’t provided a motive or an explanation. But either way, Florida has been under intense focus following the February shooting in Parkland. While now is the time to mourn, the time to pay respects and the time for prayers, we can also observe the nation’s reaction to two policemen --- 25 years old and 30 years old --- senselessly murdered in broad daylight.
Who will speak for them? Who will march on Washington? Who will ask for justice?