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The decorated Navy special operations commander was found dead in his San Diego home a month after taking charge of the elite SEAL One team: “We lost a great hero”
- Commander Robert Ramirez III, 47, was found dead at his San Diego home on Monday.
- Decorated special operations commander was a ‘great hero,’ tributes said
- Ramirez, who was married with children, took over SEAL Team 1 last month.
- A Navy colleague said: ‘We lost a great hero and this will hurt for a long time’
- Authorities said foul play is not suspected and San Diego police are investigating.
A decorated Navy special operations commander was found dead in his San Diego home just a month after taking charge of the elite SEAL Team 1.
Tributes have been paid to the ‘big hero’ Cmdr. Robert Ramirez III, 47, after he was found Monday.
Capt. David Abernathy, Commanding Officer of Naval Special Warfare Group 1, which manages all San Diego-based SEAL teams, said: ‘Bobby was an outstanding leader, a devoted husband and father, and a good friend to all of us.
“This is a devastating loss for our community and everyone who knew him. We will continue to support Bobby’s family, friends and teammates during this extremely difficult time.”
No foul play is suspected in Ramirez’s death, officials with the Navy Special Warfare Command said Wednesday.
Commander Robert Ramírez III, 47, was found dead on Monday. Friends and colleagues paid tribute to a ‘great hero’ and ‘incredible human’. Foul play not a suspect in Ramírez’s death
Ramírez was married to his wife Anne and they had several children together. Captain David Abernathy, Naval Special Warfare Group Commanding Officer, said, “Bobby was an outstanding leader, a devoted husband and father, and a good friend to all of us.”
The San Diego Sheriff’s Department has opened an investigation.
Ramirez took command of SEAL Team 1 last month and joined the unit in June.
He was married to his wife Anne and they had several children together.
A friend, Jennifer James, said: ‘I’m devastated. Anne Ramirez and Robert Ramirez III have been my friends since high school and have represented our country through multiple deployments and sacrifices to serve the US mission.
“We lost an incredible human on Monday and Anne and Bobby’s story must be told.”
Ramirez, pictured with his family, joined the military in 1996 and was commissioned in 2008. He has three combat action tapes, including for service in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Obi Ugochukwu, a Navy medic, said: “This is just a devastating loss.” The pain of this loss is very deep.
‘Many of us were at Bobby’s change of command ceremony and it was a very joyous occasion. I cannot understand this and am just praying for Anne, the children and the rest of the family.
“We lost a BIG HERO and this will hurt for a long time.”
Ramírez joined the military in 1996 and was commissioned in 2008.
He has three combat action ribbons, including for service in Iraq and Afghanistan.
His other decorations include five Bronze Star Medals, two with the Combat ‘V’ device denoting valor and acts of heroism.