MELVINDALE (WWJ) — As the manhunt for Michael Lopez ended with his arrest Monday evening, Melvindale police and law enforcement agencies across the state are mourning a fellow officer killed in the line of duty.
Officer Mohamed Said, 23, was shot and killed Sunday near the intersection of Oakwood and Dix.
Multiple police agencies joined forces to offer a $37,500 reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspect, identified as 44-year-old Michael Lopez. While Lopez was arrested Monday, it was not immediately clear if the reward played a role in his arrest.
Melvindale Police Chief Robert Kennaley on Monday told reporters his department has been "inundated" with messages of love and support after the death of Said, who he said was "not just an officer."
“Not just an officer. This is a resident of the city of Melvindale. He was born and raised here, he went to the school system here. Every night before his shift, he drove by his parents’ house knowing that he’s doing it to protect his family and the residents here," Kennaley said.
“He didn’t have to learn the streets because he already knew the streets because he was a resident here. There’s nothing more that I could say about Mohamed Said except 'phenomenal,'" Kennaley said.
Kennaley said Monday he first met Said while he was a K9 officer and training his dog on the high school football field. Said, still in school at the time, was playing soccer on the field at the time and approached him and asked to pet the dog before asking "how do I become a police officer?"
“I basically guided him on how to become an officer and we kept in contact the whole entire time until he was of age. He became an ordinance officer with us. While he was doing that he was keeping blight out of our city. He was helping residents, he was issuing citations and doing his job. He was just phenomenal," Kennaley told reported, noting Said would greet him every morning and say "I got you."
In a post on Facebook on Sunday, Dearborn Police Chief Issa Shahin described Said as “a kind soul who proudly served the residents of Melvindale.”
Hamtramck City Councilman Khalil Refai remembered his friend of more than ten years as “always respectful” and “determined to make a difference.”
"Mohamed was a smart individual who dreamed of becoming a law enforcement officer to serve his community, educate the youth, and build bridges between the community and the police," Refai said on Facebook.
According to Refai, Said graduated from the police academy only last year.
Dearborn Heights Mayor Bill Bazzi said Said was “an energetic dedicated young man, who was known for his engaging smile while serving and protecting the community.”
Meanwhile, condolences poured in from police departments across the state.
The MSU Police and Public Safety said their officers will wear mourning bands on their badges in memory of Said.
Meanwhile, Inkster Police wrote: “We have your watch from here. Rest easy Officer Said.”
Said is the third Michigan police officer to be killed in the line of duty in the past month.