Maryland

Business Owners Pledge to Pay Mortgage of Fallen Maryland Officer's Widow Through Rest of Year

The widow of the Prince George's County police officer killed in the line of duty last month won't need to worry about paying her mortgage this year -- some good Samaritans say they'll pay it.

The owners of NT Autobody in Alexandria, Virginia, told Tammi Ramzziddin that they will cover the payments through the remainder of 2018.

"Let's just go ahead for the remainder of the year -- whatever the mortgage is -- it's on us as a gift, to support and honor the Corporal Ramzziddin and the family," NT Autobody co-owner Mike Tikoyan said Thursday.

"I want to say thank you and for everyone to remember we're going to take care of each other. A neighbor has to help a neighbor...We're going to get beyond...this through love and embracing one another," Tammi Ramzziddin said.

Ramzziddin's husband, Cpl. Mujahid Ramzziddin, died Feb. 21 after he helped a neighbor who was being threatened by her estranged husband and the man shot him, police say. Ramzziddin was off-duty in his own neighborhood when he helped the woman. The 51-year-old was a Marine Corps veteran and father of four who served on the Prince George's County police force for 14 years.

Ramzziddin said Thursday her loss has convinced her she needs to speak out against gun violence.

"I put a charge to our government officials. You have to step up to protect us. You have to step us to protect our children. We rely on you for safety. We rely on you to change policy," Ramzziddin said.

She said two of her children now want to follow in their father's footsteps and go into public service.

One child wants to be a police officer; the other wants to be a firefighter.

Ramzziddin spoke for the first time about losing her husband at a vigil held Feb. 28.

"I lost my everything," she said.

Prince George's County police say anyone who wishes to donate money to the Ramzziddin family should contact the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), Prince George's County, Lodge 89. Donations can be sent to P.O. Box 510 Lothian, MD 20711. 

Police warned of scams from others claiming to be collecting funds on behalf of the family.

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