By admin 
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – A Tucson Police Department recruit was killed, and a Pima County Sheriff’s Department corrections officer was wounded in a home invasion near Valencia and Ajo Highway in Pima County early Wednesday, Aug. 19.
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The PCSD said deputies responded to reports of a shooting at a home in the 7700 block of South Enchanted Spring Drive around 6 a.m. and found 23-year-old Carlos Ramirez shot to death.
Ramirez was a Tucson Police Academy recruit and was scheduled to graduate on Thursday, Aug. 27. The other victim, his 23-year-old fiancé, is a Pima County Sheriff’s Department corrections officer.
Authorities are looking for two suspects, described as Hispanic men in black clothing and ski masks. Detectives are looking for two suspects described as Hispanic men wearing all-black clothing and ski masks. The suspect vehicle may be a gray 2007-2013 Acura MDX, possibly missing its fuel door.
Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or 88-CRIME.
Academy, union respond
Recruits of the Tucson Police Department Academy lost one of their own. The nearly 30-member class is scheduled to graduate next Thursday. They will do so without Ramirez by their side.
Tucson Police Officers Association President Darrell Hussman met with the recruits Wednesday to offer his support.
“It’s a pretty hard hit when your first introduction into law enforcement is something tragic like this,” Hussman said. “You spend so much time with them, you go through blood, sweat, and tears through the academy, and to lose someone this close to graduation is tragic.”
Hussman said the recruits took it hard, but will push on in Ramirez‘s honor.
“Just seeing their faces, their shock, but they’re determined to graduate and pick up the fight,” Hussman said.
Mental health resources available
Hussman said the recruits will move forward with the help of TPD’s Behavioral Sciences Unit. The program offers mental health and counseling services for officers dealing with issues ranging from traumatic events on the job to personal matters.
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“They are there to help with the mental health side of law enforcement, which I think for the longest time was never thought about; they were expecting us to just deal with it and move on, or there was a little shame about needing help,” Hussman said.
Hussman said officers are now encouraged to reach out and seek help, which he said has changed the landscape of law enforcement, especially for TPD.
“What our BSU unit offers is a safe place for officers to go and talk and be open and talk about the issues they’re dealing with,” Hussman said.
Hussman said the class is still processing the loss of their classmate but is prepared to move forward as officers.
“I hope they never forget, and this just encourages them to even continue the fight to protect the community,” Hussman said.
Hussman said the recruits are still planning to graduate next week, and he hopes they seek out help when they need it.
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