On Monday, Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA) delivered remarks at the Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police’s annual memorial service for fallen officers.
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00:00Let us pray. On this solemn day, we gather to remember and honor the brave men and women of law enforcement who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. We come before you with heavy hearts seeking your comfort, strength, and guidance. We give thanks for the dedication and courage displayed by these officers who have selfishly served our great commonwealth.
00:28They have stood as beacons of justice, protecting our communities and ensuring our safety. Today, we remember their unwavering commitment and sacrifices they have made to uphold the values of law and order.
00:44Lord, we ask that you provide solace to their families and loved ones. Surround them with your love, grace, and healing. Grant them peace in the midst of their pain and strength
00:57and strength to face each day. We pray for the men and women currently serving in law enforcement. Watch over them as they put themselves at risk to protect and serve.
01:09Grant them wisdom, discernment, and courage as they face the challenges of their duties. Provide them with the necessary resources and support to carry out the responsibilities with excellence and integrity.
01:24May they be a source of hope and inspiration to all the people they are called to serve.
01:29May they be a source of hope and inspiration to all the people they are called to serve. We offer this prayer with gratitude and humility, trusting in your infinite love and mercy.
01:37May the memories of those we honor this day be forever cherished and may their sacrifice never be forgotten. We ask this in your holy name. Amen.
01:49Please be seated.
01:54My name is Vincent Tocenzo and I am the Secretary of the Fraternal Order of Police Pennsylvania State Lodge.
02:04At this time, I would like to welcome and thank members of the General Assembly, state officials, members of the judicial branch, and guests for their continued support in honoring the officers and staff.
02:18The Secretary of the officers and their families who have sacrificed their lives for the citizens of the Commonwealth.
02:33It is now my honor to introduce Governor Josh Shapiro for a few remarks.
02:37Governor, we know you have to get back to the residence to greet the former governors, but we are grateful for the time you have to have been.
02:46for the time that you were able to give to us to honor our heroes. It is now,
02:51ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming Governor Shapiro.
03:03Thank you Vince and good evening to everyone. I want to begin by thanking you
03:10Vince and thanking Joe Regan and all the leaders of the Pennsylvania Fraternal Order of Police.
03:17Joe, I'm grateful for everything you do to fight for the women and men who go out to keep our
03:23community safe every day and for continuing to host this important tradition now 30 years strong
03:30right here in our Capitol Rotunda. And of course, I want to thank you for inviting me back to share
03:36a few words with you today and honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our safety
03:44and our freedom. I want to recognize Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, my partner and a great
03:50leader here in the Commonwealth. And I want to recognize two of Pennsylvania's most senior
03:56law enforcement leaders, Attorney General Dave Sunday and Colonel Christopher Paris. We appreciate
04:03your service every single day and what you do to support our law enforcement professionals. We're of
04:10course joined today by many members of the General Assembly. I know how busy you are and I appreciate
04:15the fact that you've taken the time to be here today to honor these heroes. I also note the presence
04:22of Justice Dougherty and other members of the bench who join us here today. Truly a bipartisan group
04:29coming together to support the heroes who've made the ultimate sacrifice and those who continue to
04:36wear the uniform to keep us safe. Police officers across our Commonwealth go to work every single day
04:44to protect and serve our communities and our Commonwealth. They literally run toward danger as others run in
04:53the other direction. I'm honored and humbled to be able to recognize those fallen heroes who have
04:59made the ultimate sacrifice and to express the profound gratitude of 13 million Pennsylvanians who benefit
05:08from your service. Today we gather to remember not just the sacrifice but their life in service and we
05:18reaffirm to their families that we will never ever forget. Today amongst the heroes we honor we spend a
05:29special moment to honor the memory of Sergeant Jamie Roman whose name was added to the solemn roll call
05:37in 2024. If you'll permit me I'd like to just say a few words about Jamie. Following Jamie's death I had the
05:47privilege to get to know his wife Jasmine who joins us here today. Jasmine we are grateful that you are giving us
05:55this chance to honor the memory of your beloved. I know you told me all about Jamie and his life about
06:03how much he loved policing and how much he loved serving his community. How even in his spare time
06:12he would read articles about policing and he'd want to always be better at his craft and always try and help
06:20others who were coming up in the noble profession of policing. He wanted to be not just a great cop
06:29but the best public servant that he could be. He wanted to make our streets safer and the city of
06:37Philadelphia stronger. Sergeant Roman was a great policeman and he was an even better man.
06:47We see that with Jamie Jr. I loved getting the chance to spend some time with both of you in my office a few
06:53moments ago. I especially loved the way Jamie just tore through my challenge coins on the table there.
07:02Hey Colonel I want you to know he pocketed a few of them on the way out too.
07:06But it was interesting the coins that he took off the shelf and the pictures of those who had fallen as
07:16heroes those were the ones he was most attracted to picking out the heroes there who served us who
07:24made the ultimate sacrifice. Jamie those were heroes just like your daddy who was a hero to you to your mom
07:35to the city and to an entire community who relied on him to keep us safe. He was so special and Jamie you
07:46are so special and all of these people here I know what you whispered to me as we walked in
07:53all of these people came here today so that you know you are loved your daddy was loved and your mommy is
08:02going to keep on being loved for years and years and years because everyone here is going to be there
08:08for you. So you can walk into any one of these offices here and take any challenge coin you want
08:15off of any of their desks any of them at any moment.
08:26I want you to know I am grateful for Officer and Sergeant Roman's service for the service of all of
08:34those who choose to wear the uniform every day and while my heart breaks for you I hope you also know
08:43that in all of the people's hearts here is a piece of your husband who served us with distinction and
08:51served a life of service to this great commonwealth. The unspeakable losses that bind you to the other
08:58families who are here who I feel privileged to have gotten to know over the years well you are now part
09:06of a tight-knit community a tight-knit family that none of you wanted to be a part of but I want you to
09:13know that that family you are now a part of is going to be there for you and strengthen you and we will
09:19continue to be there for you in every corner of our commonwealth in every community in Pennsylvania.
09:26the family that you have now is a family that we will always look after today tomorrow next month
09:38next year next decade as I've said to each of you in moments of privacy we will always be there for
09:46you we will always be there to not just support you but to honor your loved one's memory to honor
09:55not just with words at important moments like today but to honor with action you may not realize this
10:05but you're joined here today by members of the Pennsylvania Senate and the Pennsylvania House
10:12Republicans and Democrats alike the people who are here today are here to honor you
10:19and when they go back and they vote in their chambers they've honored you with action honored
10:25you by funding the hiring of more police officers than ever before in our commonwealth honored you
10:32by funding violence prevention initiatives that's bringing crime down in this commonwealth and
10:37protecting the lives of people who walk our streets both in uniform and to and from their schools
10:43you should know that there are people here who care deeply about honoring the legacies of your
10:50loved ones by turning that into real action today and we will continue to do that every day for you
10:58for the Roman family and for every other family that has not only an empty chair at the table
11:06but an empty place in your hearts we will never be able to fill that place in your heart but we will
11:13do everything in our power to honor your loved one's memory and to bring action to make sure that they lived
11:22a life of purpose and that that purpose is carried forward that is our pledge to you to always remember
11:31and to always be there for you i know how central the work is that law enforcement does every single day
11:38i want to thank those who wear the uniform of service in our communities and all around the
11:44commonwealth of pennsylvania from the state police to our municipal police officers and everyone in between
11:51yours is a noble profession and we stand with you and we support you
11:57may god bless the memory of jamie roman may god bless the memory of all who have fallen in service
12:06to our commonwealth may god continue to comfort you the families in mourning the families who continue to
12:15have that loss in your homes and in your hearts and know that we are a grateful commonwealth know that we
12:23care deeply about you and know that you are always in our prayers god bless you all thank you
12:42it is now my privilege to introduce pennsylvania attorney general dave sunday please join me in welcoming
12:49attorney general sunday thank you thank you so much it's an absolute honor to be here with everyone
13:00tonight we are remembering and honoring the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice
13:06to keep our community safe especially philadelphia police officer jamie roman who tragically lost his life
13:14in the line of duty while tonight is about remembering those that we've lost it's also about appreciating
13:21the men and women who continue to serve day in and day out i've had the honor of serving as a prosecutor
13:27throughout my career and in that role i've been able to see behind the curtain as to what police
13:32officers lives are like what it's like to juggle their job what it's like to come to court the type of
13:38things that they see every day that most of us in society could never ever even imagine every day
13:46police face unbelievable challenges doing their job they come in contact with horrifically abused
13:53children they wit they approach witnesses in cases that might have severe mental health problems
14:00or might be addicted to drugs the police can't pick and choose what their days look like
14:06we can pick and choose our schedules but there is no way for a police officer to schedule
14:10their day police officers every single day fight against murderers rapists child molesters drug dealers
14:20scammers and on and on and oftentimes with little to no encouragement they sit countless hours every
14:29day with traumatized victims who have had their lives turned upside down
14:35they sit with witnesses who are terrified to testify who are terrified to testify and they do everything
14:42they can to convince them that it'll be safe and that they can do it
14:48these police officers and although they won't tell you this oftentimes they have vicarious trauma
14:55from years and years of doing this job day after day month after month year after year
15:03and every single one of them must be applauded but for the sacrifice of so many this nation would be vastly different
15:16the reality of life is that our freedom exists because certain human beings made a decision that the safety
15:25the safety of their families and their communities outweigh the safety of them individually
15:35police put on a uniform every day and leave the comforts of their homes and the warm embrace of their families
15:43with each passing day society puts police officers in the tenuous positions of protector
15:50defender servant social worker all at a moment's notice and oftentimes many many times within an eight
15:59hour shift you're expected to have the answer to every single question and the solution to almost every
16:07single problem i'm told that officer roman that sergeant roman joined the philly pd when he did he requested
16:15to join the task force that was dedicated to kensington he did that because that's where he grew up
16:23that's where he went to school and he wanted to help his friends and neighbors improve the qualities
16:29of their life what greater calling is there and what greater hero could there be everything we have
16:38everything we have as a nation the democratic principles that we cherish and the rights that
16:43separate us from every single nation on earth they all exist because officers like sergeant roman
16:52are willing to risk and was willing to risk his personal safety so that others may live to the officers here
17:01tonight thank you you answer the call because that's who you are and that's what you believe in
17:10as attorney general i will always stand with you in support of and in partnership of our shared mission
17:17as we remember sergeant jamie roman tonight and all the officers who've made that ultimate sacrifice
17:25let us carry their memories with us as we go throughout their lives let's honor them by continuing
17:32the work they began and never finished you know i'm not just an ag i'm a dad and i'm a husband and i have a
17:40young son and i've seen this year after year year after year as a prosecutor and and just you know as a
17:48human but i am very afraid of the world that my son has to grow up in and i can tell you right now there
17:55is one thing that that i think about that i feel that provides me solace and that's that in america when
18:02you call 911 someone comes think about that in our country when we ask for help it arrives and i am
18:10so personally grateful that there are people that are willing to do that so not just today but every
18:17single day let's support our police let's encourage them let's support their families and let's do
18:26everything we can to ensure that great heroes like sergeant roman continue to step up continue to fight the
18:35good fight continue to answer the 9-1-1 calls and continue to keep us safe god bless every single one
18:42of you thank you
18:53we now have the changing of the guard
19:05so
19:12so
19:14so
19:16so
19:48At this time, I would like to introduce the Honorable Senator Scott Martin and Senator Tartaglione for the Senate Resolution.
20:18Well, good evening.
20:21It's truly an honor to be here today and to let you know that this afternoon, working with Senator Joe Picozzi from Philadelphia,
20:30we're able to talk about our resolution to officially designate May 5th as Police Officers Memorial Day in Pennsylvania
20:38and also May 11th through the 17th as National Police Week in Pennsylvania.
20:45You know, on a personal note, growing up as a son of a career police officer, I look at these two dates with a weird dichotomy.
20:56You know, as a kid, I was so proud when I told people that my dad was a police officer.
21:07Seeing his friends growing up with his colleagues, knowing the time they spent away from family, the dangers that they face,
21:16as a young man, I could not have been prouder.
21:22But growing up, you also tried to come to terms with the thought of a police officer's Memorial Day.
21:30And as a kid, I'd be lying if I said, I often thought about the dangers that my dad and his colleagues face,
21:40whether it was half his career in Lancaster or the other half in Philadelphia,
21:44and what that would mean if my dad did not come home at a certain point.
21:50So for me to work with Joe in presenting this today, it means a tremendous amount.
21:58And Jasmine, I want to thank you for your service.
22:07I want to thank you for sharing your husband as well in our communities.
22:12And when I first heard his story of choosing, of wanting to go back to his area in Kensington to make a difference,
22:21that says what it's all about.
22:23And if there's one thing that I learned growing up in a law enforcement family,
22:29and whether it was with the Fraternal Order of Police,
22:33whether it was with the State Troopers Association,
22:35or the broader law enforcement communities, they were a family.
22:40And that family isn't just up here fighting for you in Harrisburg,
22:44but they'll always be with you because they'll never forget.
22:49So God bless you.
22:50God bless Evelina and Jimmy Jr.
22:54And with that, I'd like to turn it over to my colleague, Senator Tattaglione.
22:58Thank you, Scott.
23:07Jasmine, I have a condolence resolution for you.
23:11Whereas the Senate of Pennsylvania warns the loss of Officer Jamie Jr. Roman,
23:18who gave his life in a line of duty on September 10th, 2024, at the age of 31.
23:26And whereas, born in Camden, New Jersey, on September 22nd, 1992,
23:35Sergeant Roman graduated from Nueva Esperanza High School in 2011.
23:43Known for his honorable dedication to others,
23:49his sense of humor, and his deep devotion to serving his community,
23:54he enlisted in the Philadelphia Police Department,
23:58where he worked for nearly seven years.
24:02In his free time, Sergeant Roman enjoyed being outdoors,
24:09taking long drives, listening to country music,
24:14building Lego sets with his son, and spending time with his family.
24:19And whereas, since his enlistment,
24:25Sergeant Roman faithfully endeavored to preserve and protect the health,
24:31safety, and welfare of his fellow citizens
24:35in the finest spirit of public service.
24:39He demonstrated exemplary knowledge, ability, and integrity
24:45in carrying out his many responsibilities
24:48and earned deep respect and gratitude
24:51for his tireless devotion to duty.
24:57Now, therefore, the Senate of Pennsylvania
24:59note with great sadness the passing of Sergeant Jamie Jr. Roman,
25:05whose life greatly benefited all those who lived, served, and worked with him
25:13and extended heartfelt condolences
25:16to his wife, Jasmine Hernandez,
25:20children of Alina and Jamie,
25:22and many other family members and friends.
25:25And be it further resolved that a copy of this document
25:30sponsored by Senator Christine M. Tartaglione
25:33be transmitted to Jasmine Hernandez.
25:38Jasmine, this is my district
25:41where Jamie lost his life.
25:46And for him to want to go back
25:49and work that area that he grew up in
25:52says so much to his character
25:57and to his resolve.
26:00So, unfortunately, I have a condolence resolution
26:03to present to you.
26:16And now to present
26:36the House Resolution, the Honorable Brian Monroe.
26:46Good evening.
26:53Today, as we do every year,
26:54we're paying our respects to our fallen officers
26:57and to those family members and friends
26:59who have been horrifically affected by this tragic loss.
27:03I want to first thank all of the law enforcement agencies
27:06who are here today to remember our fallen officer,
27:09but also all of the fallen officers
27:11who have died in the line of duty
27:13in the service of their communities.
27:15To those families who are here today
27:17that are here with us,
27:19thank you and know that you will never be forgotten.
27:23I'd like to also thank the Fraternal Order of Police
27:26for organizing this important ceremony
27:28as well as Governor Josh Shapiro,
27:31Lieutenant Governor Davis,
27:33Speaker Joanna McClinton,
27:34leaders Matt Bradford and Jesse Topper.
27:36And thank you for all of your support
27:37to the law enforcement community.
27:39Every day when a police officer
27:41puts on their vest
27:43and uniform straps on their duty gear
27:46and kiss their families goodbye.
27:48At that moment,
27:50there is a long list of things
27:52that are running through their heads.
27:55Everything from how many crash reports
27:56that might be behind,
27:58how's the weather outside,
27:59what kind of day they might be having,
28:01or maybe even family matters.
28:05One of the thoughts
28:06that's not really dwelled on is this.
28:11Will I come home tonight?
28:14Will I ever see my wife or husband again?
28:17Will I ever be able to give my son or daughter
28:20one more hug?
28:22We might not dwell on it,
28:24but it's there
28:25for every person who works in law enforcement
28:28who wears that uniform,
28:30who throws themselves
28:31into all sorts of dangerous circumstances,
28:35all with the goal
28:35of keeping our community safe.
28:39For Philadelphia Police Sergeant Jamie Jr. Roman,
28:43this was the worst case scenario
28:45that had become a reality.
28:47On June 22, 2024,
28:51Sergeant Roman had conducted a vehicle stop.
28:53And this was a typical stop
28:55on a typical day.
28:57It's something that an officer might do
28:5910 times a day
29:01without incident.
29:03But this stop ended in tragedy.
29:07Sergeant Roman eventually succumbed
29:09to his injuries
29:09with his end of watch
29:11being September 10, 2024.
29:14We lost a hero that day.
29:16The FOP and the Philadelphia Police
29:18lost a brother.
29:21Jasmine lost her husband.
29:22And Jimmy Jr. lost his father.
29:28On Thursday, April 24, 2025,
29:32both myself and my co-chair
29:34of the Law Enforcement Caucus,
29:36Representative Eric Wiecknick,
29:37introduced House Resolution 176
29:40in the House of Representatives
29:41to honor Sergeant Roman's memory.
29:45Jamie, you will always be remembered.
29:48With that,
29:49I'd like to present
29:50this official copy
29:52of the House Resolution
29:53to Jasmine.
30:19to Governor Shapiro
30:29and Attorney General Sunday
30:30for your kind words.
30:34We also appreciate
30:35the attendance of
30:36Lieutenant Governor Davis,
30:40Order General DeFore,
30:42members of administration,
30:43and our elected officials
30:46for your continued support
30:48of Pennsylvania's
30:48law enforcement community.
30:52Jasmine and Jamie Jr.,
30:54you have the heartfelt sympathy
30:56of all members
30:58of the Pennsylvania
30:59Fraternal Order of Police.
31:02Please continue to join us
31:04each year
31:05to honor your husband
31:06and father.
31:10I would like to recognize
31:11the surviving families
31:13who came this evening
31:14to honor their loved ones
31:15who were killed
31:17in the line of duty
31:18in past years.
31:22Alexandra Carrero,
31:24Stephanie Mack,
31:26Brittany Siska,
31:29Chloe Rougeau,
31:31Angela Gervaisio,
31:34Marissa Fitzgerald,
31:36Elaine and William Kuhn,
31:39Tiffany Black
31:40and Lou McIntyre,
31:41Charles Stipatich,
31:45Jackie Henry,
31:48Donna Best,
31:50Kim and Mike Wigand,
31:53Elaine Berry Drum,
31:56Laura Lebo
31:57and Rene Lebo,
32:01Carlos Simeno,
32:04and Karen and Dave Reber.
32:05To any other family members
32:09and friends of those
32:10who made the ultimate sacrifice,
32:13please know that we are,
32:15that our support
32:16is not only for today,
32:17but forever.
32:20Please join us each year
32:21when we honor these heroes.
32:24God bless you all.
32:26I would now ask
32:49Officer Roman's wife, Jasmine,
32:51and their son, Jamie,
32:52to come forward
32:53and place the flower
32:55in the memorial basket.
33:23and place the flower
33:24in the temple.
33:26And I will ask
33:27my former
33:27mother,
33:28and the other
33:29children
33:29and the other
33:29children
33:30and see you
33:30because it's
33:30and the other
33:31and the other
33:31in the real
33:32in the weary
33:32in the initial
33:33life.
33:34And the other
33:34and the other
33:36children
33:37are not taken
33:37into the
33:38in the
33:40history.
33:41The father
33:42of us
33:42or
33:43that
33:43is
33:44in the
33:45military
33:46in the village,
33:47and the other
33:48police officer
33:48were
33:49in the
33:50military
33:50commissioner
33:50and
33:50took
33:51presid
33:51Philadelphia Police Department, end of watch, Tuesday, September 10th, 2024.
34:21At this time, surviving family members in attendance are invited to place a flyer in the memorial
34:33basket in front of the wreath.
37:15I would now ask that you please stand for the salute by the City of Philadelphia Police
37:21and the Playing of Taps by Officer Lint of the City of Philadelphia Police and Trooper Gober
37:30from the Pennsylvania State Police.
37:34The Greater Pittsburgh Emerald Society Pipe and Drum Band will then perform Amazing Grace.
38:11God bless you.
38:41God bless you.
39:11God bless you.
39:41God bless you.
40:11God bless you.
40:41God bless you.
41:11God bless you.
41:41God bless you.
42:11In this sacred vocation of total commitment, they live out for us the highest values and virtues in service to you, Lord God,
42:25and in service to the human family.
42:55Amen.
42:57Amen.
42:58Amen.
42:59Amen.
43:01Amen.
43:31Amen.
43:35Amen.
43:37Amen.
44:01Amen.
44:07Amen.
44:08Amen.
44:09Amen.
44:31Amen.
44:37Amen.
44:39Amen.
45:01Amen.
45:09Amen.
45:10Amen.
45:11Amen.
45:12Amen.
45:13Amen.
45:14Amen.
45:15Amen.
45:16Amen.
45:17Amen.
45:18Amen.
45:19Amen.
45:21Amen.
45:23Amen.
45:26Amen.
45:27Great job.