A routine call to a car crash transformed into a moment of devastating loss for Miami-Dade County on Friday. Deputy Devin Jaramillo, just 27 years old, responded to the scene with the expectation of providing aid and restoring order, unaware he was walking towards a brutal confrontation.
Arriving at the crash site near Southwest 128th Street, Jaramillo encountered Steven David Rustrian, a 21-year-old involved in the initial collision. An argument erupted, the cause remaining unclear, quickly escalating into a violent physical struggle between the deputy and the suspect.
The situation spiraled tragically as Rustrian managed to gain control of Jaramillo’s firearm. Witnesses captured harrowing footage of the struggle, showing Jaramillo attempting to subdue Rustrian on the ground before being shot multiple times at close range.
Rushed to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital, Jaramillo fought for his life, but succumbed to his injuries. Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz, her voice heavy with grief, declared the deputy had been “brutally attacked, and he was murdered.”
The news sent shockwaves through the law enforcement community and beyond, prompting a massive response from agencies including the FBI, Florida Highway Patrol, and Coral Gables Police Department. Roads were closed, and the area was secured as investigators began piecing together the events.
As the investigation unfolded, authorities learned that Rustrian, who had no prior criminal record in the area, ultimately took his own life following the shooting. The loss, however, did little to ease the profound pain felt by those who knew and served alongside Deputy Jaramillo.
Sheriff Cordero-Stutz expressed the collective heartbreak, stating simply, “Today is not OK.” She implored the community to offer prayers for Jaramillo’s family and for the entire department, a family now grappling with an unimaginable loss.
Deputy Jaramillo, assigned to the Kendall District Station, dedicated his life to service and protecting others. His sacrifice serves as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers faced by law enforcement officers every day, and the profound courage it takes to answer the call.
