Slain Melvindale Michigan Police Officer's Brother to Attend School Renamed in Sibling's Honor

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Video: Mich. Police Escort Slain Officer's Brother on 1st Day of School

Yousef Said, the 7-year-old brother of fallen Melvindale Police Cpl. Mohamed Said, wore his brother's badge and was accompanied by his brother's colleagues on the first day of third grade.

Brother of Slain Mich. Police Officer Hired by Sibling's Department

“Me and my brother went to school together for law enforcement. I stopped to get married. I was planning on being next to him as a partner," said new Melvindale Police Officer Ahmed Said, whose brother was shot and killed last year.

When Yousef Said walks into school in the fall to start fourth grade, he will be surrounded.

In every classroom and down every hallway, the 8-year-old will be embraced by the love and memory of his big brother at each turn.

Said is the youngest brother of fallen Melvindale police Cpl. Mohamed Said, 26, and plans were just announced that the Melvindale-Northern Allen Park School District intends to rename Strong Middle School, Mohammed Said Elementary School.

Yousef Said will be among the first to attend.

On July 21, 2024, thousands mourned the shooting death of the officer, including his little brother, a student at Allendale Elementary School.

Since his death, there have been a lot of changes in the young boy’s life, and attending the school renamed after his brother is sure to have a major impact on him, his family and the entire community.

It’s a gesture Ahmed Said, 23, another one of the Said brothers, described as an unbelievable honor.

Ahmed Said said their baby brother is looking forward to making the transition to the new school.

Although it is occurring under the worst of circumstances, he said his brother and family appreciate the honor in the gesture.

“He was surprised and is happy just thinking about it,” Ahmed Said said. “We never thought of something like this happening. He has been talking a lot about it, and he is happy to go. It also means a lot to some officers who will be going there and giving out stickers on behalf of the department.”

Mohamed Said was shot and killed while in the act of making an arrest.

Ahmed Said is working as the new police ordinance officer in the same building where his brother worked for nearly two years.

Ahmed Said said he takes comfort being surrounded by so many memories of his brother and people who loved him.

Now, he said he is looking forward to the day his child attends Mohamed Said Elementary School.

Talk of renaming the school first surfaced for the Said family in December.

Family members gave the go ahead on the idea and assured the school district it would be something that would make them proud.

School Supt. Ryan Vranesich spoke briefly about renaming the school after the officer, who was a Melvindale High School graduate, in a recent State of the District address.

“We’ve renovated the school, including boilers, lighting, a new secure entryway system, flooring, and classroom technology,” Vranesich said. “This building will now house our fourth- and fifth-grade students and teachers, and we can’t wait to open this new space to our community.”

Several people expressed their support for renaming the school after the Yemeni-American officer after a post was made about it on social media.

Residents expressed appreciation for the district for making such a move and one person called it “excellent news” for the Said family.

Simon Saleh, who made a post about the upcoming change, expressed how “incredibly proud” he is of the school district and called it an honor to be part of such a supportive and united community.

“Rest in peace, Moe,” Saleh’s post said calling him by his nickname. “Your legacy lives on.”

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