Jamal Mitchell’s parents mourn the loss of their son
The family of Minneapolis police officer Jamal Mitchell is mourning the loss of their son after he was shot and killed in the line of duty last Thursday.
Mitchell’s family said they are still conscious of the tragedy.
His mother, Janet Raper-Edwards, said her last memory was a phone call with her son on his way to work, but she didn’t know it would be his last.
“My heart is broken beyond words because I never thought I would have to bury one of my children,” Raper-Edwards said.
It’s a parent’s worst nightmare, but for Mitchell’s parents, it’s reality.
The photos are all photos Mitchell’s parents left behind after learning their son had died in the line of duty.
“I just lost it,” Raper-Edwards said.
Last Thursday evening, Minneapolis Police Officer Mitchell was killed on the city’s south side.
State investigators said he was ambushed while trying to help a man on the street who had been shot. This is the same man who allegedly opened fire on Mitchell.
“That’s exactly what he was like: trying to save someone who cost him his life,” Raper-Edwards said.
His parents said their son brought a lot of life to their large blended family and was a twin.
“We called her Molly for short instead of Beauty,” Raper-Edwards said. “Molly had a big heart for people. He loved people. He loved life. Molly would help a stranger off the street.
His family does their best to remember the good times.
“His smile, his jokes and his corny jokes,” said Dennis R. Edwards Sr., Jamal Mitchell’s parent.
It brings them some comfort that Officer Mitchell spent his final moments doing what he loved.
“It makes me a proud mom to know that people have nothing but good things to say about my son. I’m going to miss him,” Raper-Edwards said through tears.
Mitchell’s parents live in Florida and plan to travel to Minnesota to bury their son.
Then their next stop is Connecticut to spend time with the rest of their family and grieve.
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