Rain or shine, chilly or bitterly cold, Prince George’s County Police patrol officers work around the clock to protect and serve the residents of this county. Too often their good police work goes unnoticed. We’d like to introduce you to the patrol officers of the month for December 2013.
District I Police Officer of the Month
Police Officer First Class Ché Atkinson
On December 1, 2013, Police Officer First Class Che Atkinson responded to the 9300 block of Cherry Hill Road for a possible shooting. When he arrived, he immediately began searching for the suspect. POFC Atkinson spotted a taxi cab leaving the area with a passenger inside who matched the suspect description. The patrol officer quickly conducted a traffic stop on the cab and the passenger was positively identified as the shooting suspect. The suspect was carrying two guns and suspected PCP.
District II Police Officer of the Month
Police Officer Harold Nichols
On December 16, 2013, Police Officer Harold Nichols was called to a grocery store in the 12100 block of Central Avenue for the report of a person spraying lighter fluid around the store and also dousing himself with the flammable liquid. Police Officer Nichols arrived just as the man was trying to light himself on fire. The patrol officer approached and was able to talk the man into putting down the lighter. The man was then taken to a hospital for care.
District III Police Officer of the Month
Police Officer First Class Gregory Travis
Police Officer Ashby Hoffman
On December 19, 2013, Police Officer First Class Gregory Travis and Police Officer Ashby Hoffman were called to the 3900 block of Regency Parkway for a domestic-related complaint. When they arrived, they spoke with a woman who informed them that her boyfriend was inside an apartment with her two children, armed with a revolver. Before the patrol officers could talk to the suspect, he locked himself in a utility closet. POFC Travis and Police Officer Hoffman quickly removed the children from the apartment. After a short standoff, the patrol officers were able to convince the suspect to come out of his hiding place. He was then taken into custody. A K9 team was called in and recovered the revolver in a grassy area directly underneath the window of the closet where the suspect had been hiding. It was later learned that the suspect also had an open warrant for an assault.
District IV Police Officer of the Month
Police Officer Channing Reed
Police Officer Channing Reed earned the title of District IV Officer of the Month for his exemplary work over three consecutive days. On December 4, 2013, Police Officer Reed was called to the 3100 Block of Good Hope Avenue for the report of an armed suspect. When he arrived, the suspect began to run away. Police Officer Reed quickly caught him and recovered a loaded revolver. On December 5, 2013, the patrol officer saw a suspicious car parked in the area of Akron Street. During his investigation, he recovered 18.5 grams of suspect crack cocaine and took one suspect into custody. The next day, Police Officer Reed spotted several people loitering in the 3300 block of Branch Avenue. During a pat down of one of the men, Police Officer Reed found a loaded handgun in the man’s waistband. The suspect was a convicted felon. He was arrested.
District V Police Officer of the Month
Corporal Walter Calhoun III
Police Officer Robert Ray, Jr.
Corporal Walter Calhoun and Police Officer Robert Ray, Jr. responded to the 5600 Block of Kaveh Court for the report of an armed suspect. When they arrived, they spoke with a victim who said a man had just walked up and pointed a gun at him as he stood on the front porch of a home. The patrol officers searched the home and found the suspect hiding in the basement. They also spotted the handle of a handgun sticking out between a pillow and the sofa. The gun was loaded. The suspect was arrested.
District VI Police Officer of the Month
Corporal George Schwaeble
Police Officer Daniel Siculietano
On December 28, 2013, Corporal George Schwaeble and Police Officer Daniel Siculietano responded to the 6400 block of Park Hall Drive West for a suicide call. When they arrived, the patrol officers spoke with a woman who said a man was inside her home with her child. The man was armed with a knife and threatening to commit suicide. A few moments later, the man exited the house with the knife, but quickly went back inside. The man then exited again but refused to show his hands. The man began to wander around the yard. The patrol officers strategically moved to the door so that the man could not go back inside. The man continued to ignore their verbal commands and fearing that he may still be armed, a Taser was deployed and he was subdued. He was taken to the hospital for observation. The child wasn’t hurt.
