Brother of Slain Mich. Police Officer Hired by Sibling's Department
By Jackie Martin
Source The News Herald, Southgate, Mich.
From an emotional standpoint, Ahmed Said is under repair.
He is the brother of fallen Melvindale Police Cpl. Mohamed Said, 26, who was shot and killed while attempting to make an arrest.
The emotional pain he and his family are enduring from his death, which occurred July 21, 2024, impacted the department, community, and many throughout and beyond the state of Michigan.
Nearly seven months have passed since Ahmed Said’s life spiraled from the grief, but he has found his footing.
When it was time to seek employment, he looked to the one place near and dear to his heart — the Melvindale Police Department.
The 23-year-old was recently hired by the MPD as an ordinance officer and that puts him on the path to following in the footsteps of his older brother.
This was not the original plan.
“Me and my brother went to school together for law enforcement,” Said said. “I stopped to get married. I was planning on being next to him as a partner.”
He later applied to work for Melvindale police so they could sponsor him to go to the academy.
An interview was set for July 22, but Cpl. Said’s death the previous day changed everything.
Although his hopes and dreams to work with his brother were shattered, his desire to be part of the police department was not.
“I have to give my family at least a year to heal,” he said.
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Last October, the door was opened for Said to become a part of the department — as an administrator.
He walked into a place that has memories of his brother at just about every turn.
For some, that might seem like an overwhelming conflict of emotions, but for Said, it was an enormous comfort.
He also had his eye on the job as an ordinance officer and on Jan. 17, he was hired for that position.
“I worked for four months doing desk and administrative work,” he said. “My brother was an ordinance officer before he went into the academy. I wanted the job so I could walk in my brother’s footsteps.”
The late Cpl. Mohamed Said, left, is loved by the Melvindale Police Department and his brother, Ahmed Said, who is now the department’s ordinance officer. He is following in his brother’s footsteps. (Photo courtesy of Ahmed Said)
As far as his family is concerned, he said he has their full support.
“They are telling me to be careful and do my job,” Said said. “I explained to them that I feel Moe all around me here and it makes me feel good. I’m not at all fearful of becoming an officer. My parents are very religious and believe whatever happens is God’s plan.”
He added everyone at the department is always helping him out and making sure he is doing alright.
“They all have been here for me,” he said. “This is a serious job, and I’m loving it.”
Police Chief Robert Kennaley could not be reached for comment.
Said can’t help but think of the things he and his brother had talked about doing together as he sees how revered his brother is at the department.
Cpl. Said’s name remains on his locker.
“Everything that belonged to him is still here,” he said. “It makes me feel connected to him. I go visit him every day at the cemetery.”
While there he says prayers and updates his brother on everything happening.
Typically he stays about a half an hour to an hour. He has found comfort in that as well.
Being close to so many people who loved and admired Cpl. Said has made his brother even more proud of him.
“I’m keeping the legacy alive,” Said said. “I am mentally and physically ready. I’ve been ready.”
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