Rami Ouazza, a 17-year-old from Miami, has been granted a full scholarship to the Miami Police Academy after heroically saving his neighbor during a fire in an apartment building located in the northeast of Miami-Dade County.
The blaze broke out in the early hours of November 4, 2025. Ouazza's first action was to ensure his family was safe. Upon realizing that his neighbor, a retired and disabled officer from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, had not evacuated, he courageously re-entered the burning building to assist him.
This high school senior emphasized that his actions were driven by conviction, not a desire for recognition.
"I always feel compelled to protect those who can't protect themselves. I know there are many elderly people in the building who might struggle to evacuate on their own, so my immediate thought was to help my neighbors," Ouazza shared.
The young man's brave deed was first acknowledged on March 18, when the Miami Police Department and the Do The Right Thing program selected him from over 800 nominees as one of the top ten outstanding youths of the year.
According to WSVN, Ouazza and his family were given a special tour of the Miami Police Department headquarters, where they explored police equipment, vehicles, and even operated a ground drone.
The highlight of the visit came when Sarah Perry, mother of Aden Perry and president of the Aden Perry Good Samaritan & Scholarship Fund, presented Ouazza with a full tuition check for the Miami Police Academy.
“In honor of my son, it is a true privilege to present this check today so you can attend the police academy and become the officer you aspire to be,” Perry remarked during the award presentation.
Perry explained that she learned of Ouazza’s story through television and immediately decided to support his dream of becoming a police officer.
“Too often, we only hear about the negative actions of youth; we are here to highlight the good, to inspire others to follow suit,” she stated.
Ouazza, who is eager to serve his community as an officer, expressed that he has always aspired to be a police officer to help others and set a positive example.
Manny Morales, Chief of Miami Police, was also present at the ceremony and commended the teenager.
“This is what our work is about. Passing the torch to the next generation, and Rami exemplifies this perfectly. I am grateful to play a small part in this celebration,” Morales noted, as reported by NBC.
Firefighters from the Miami-Dade Rescue Department who responded to the incident that November night also attended, eager to celebrate the young man whose bravery they had witnessed firsthand.
The Aden Perry Good Samaritan & Scholarship Fund was established by Sarah Perry in memory of her son, a 17-year-old who tragically died while trying to rescue a driver from a submerged vehicle, and was posthumously awarded the Carnegie Hero Medal.
Since its inception, the organization has awarded more than $300,000 in scholarships to exemplary youth across Florida.
Rami Ouazza's Inspiring Story and Scholarship
Who is Rami Ouazza?
Rami Ouazza is a 17-year-old from Miami who received a full scholarship to the Miami Police Academy for saving his neighbor during a fire in an apartment building.
What was the heroic act performed by Rami Ouazza?
Rami Ouazza bravely re-entered a burning building to save his neighbor, a retired and disabled officer, after ensuring his own family was safe.
What is the Aden Perry Good Samaritan & Scholarship Fund?
The Aden Perry Good Samaritan & Scholarship Fund was created to honor the memory of Aden Perry and has awarded over $300,000 in scholarships to outstanding youth in Florida.