VIDEO: Man Saved Miami Officer From Shooter

William Ramirez was driving to his boat-maintenance job Tuesday morning when he spotted a chilling sight on Northwest 79th Street: A Miami police officer was on the ground, trying to take cover as a man fired at him with a high-powered assault rifle, reports the Miami Herald .

Thinking fast, Ramirez swerved his Dodge Caravan between the officer and the shooter, shielding the rookie officer. Then he opened the side door, pulled Officer Rosny Obas to safety, and sped off.

"The police work to protect us," Ramirez said Wednesday. "We have to help them. How could I not?"

Wednesday morning Ramirez got a call from the grateful mayor of Miami, Tomás Regalado. The mayor thanked him for standing in the line of fire. Miami police, who say Ramirez probably played a large part in saving the officer's life, plan to recognize the boat fixer with a plaque at the city's next commission meeting.

While Obas was injured, he was not hit by gunfire, according to WPLG .

Cab driver Frantzy Armand, 28, identified by police as the shooter, was shot and apprehended by an off-duty officer after he reportedly stole Obas' patrol car and continued shooting out of the vehicle. Armand was charged late Tuesday with two counts of attempted murder — one against a police officer and the other against an unsuspecting motorist.