While most residents were fleeing a burning apartment building near Aventura last November, Rami Ouazza was heading toward the smoke. On Thursday, that courage earned him more than just the gratitude of his neighbors—it has paved the way for his future in law enforcement.
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Ouazza was recently awarded a $6,100 scholarship for his heroic actions during the blaze. The funding, provided by the Do The Right Thing organization in partnership with the Aden Perry Good Samaritan Scholarship Fund, serves as both a reward for his bravery and an investment in his academic journey toward becoming a police officer.
During the fire, Ouazza went door-to-door to ensure his neighbors were evacuated. At the end of a smoky hallway, he discovered a retired sheriff’s deputy trapped in the very unit where the fire had originated.
“We were looking for him, and we did not see him,” recalled Rami’s father, Hassan Ouazza. “After that, we found out that he went to help some neighbors on the same floor.”
For Rami, the choice was simple, rooted in a personal philosophy of service.
“When I am in school, or anywhere really, I always think about defending those who can’t defend themselves,” Rami said. “I know there’s a lot of old people that are in the building that might not be able to get up themselves, so that was the first thing I was thinking about.”
Rami’s bravery caught the eye of Miami Police Chief Manny Morales, who invited the teen for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of the department. The experience was more than just a ceremony; it was a preview of the career Rami hopes to pursue.
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Morales led Rami through the nerve center of the city’s law enforcement, from the high-tech Real Time Crime Center to the specialized SWAT room. The teen even had the opportunity to observe a live training session, where he sought advice from veteran officers.
“We use the children of our community—the youth that have done heroic acts like Rami did—to inspire our cops,” Morales said. “Then we let the children of our community understand what cops do each and every day, how we also go out there and save lives; we’re not only putting folks in jail.”
The “Do the Right Thing” organization, in partnership with the Aden Perry Good Samaritan Scholarship Fund, teamed up to reward Rami for his citizenship. The scholarship fund, named in honor of another local hero, aims to support students who show exceptional care for their fellow citizens.
The tour concluded with a clear message from the city’s top cop: there is a spot waiting for Rami on the force. Chief Morales expressed his eagerness to officially sign Rami up as a Miami Police officer once he completes his journey through the police academy.
For now, Rami remains a student with a hero’s reputation, having already mastered the most important part of the job: the drive to protect his community.
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