Whether we’re in the midst of a heat wave or in the depths of winter, our patrol officers suit up to serve and protect the residents of Prince George’s County. Each day, those officers do good work. Here are the Patrol Officers of the Month for July.
District I Patrol Officer of the Month
Corporal Jason Smith was honored for finding a hit-and-run driver in College Park. The driver had just struck and killed a pedestrian on July 6, 2014. Corporal Smith recognized that the fleeing driver may head to the Capitol Beltway, so he headed that way and was able to find and arrest the driver.
District II Patrol Officer of the Month
Corporal Christopher Wood
On July 24, 2014, Corporal Christopher Wood responded to Lake Arbor Way for a report of vandalism to a car. While canvassing the area, Corporal Wood saw two people carrying a flashlight and a backpack walking near the area of the vandalism. Corporal Wood made an investigative stop and was given consent to search the backpack. Inside, he found an Apple Macbook Pro computer, an Apple iPad and mail in a third person’s name. It was soon discovered that the computer belonged to a theft victim. The victim advised that he left his backpack inside his car. The two suspects were arrested.
District II Patrol Officer of the Month
Police Officer Joshua Hitchens
On July 14, 2014, Police Officer Joshua Hitchens was on patrol in Largo when he spotted a suspicious car. As he walked up to the car, he saw a man inside asleep in the driver’s seat. The keys were in the ignition and the engine was running. Officer Hitchens then saw an open alcoholic beverage on the front passenger seat. The officer asked the man to step out of the car at which time Officer Hitchens smelled alcohol on his breath. The man was arrested. A search of the car revealed a handgun under the front driver’s seat and a magazine with 16 rounds.
District III Police Officers of the Month
Police Officer First Class David Rustin
Police Officer Steven Frey
On July 23, 2014, Police Officer First Class David Rustin and Police Officer Steven Frey were dispatched to the 7700 block of Landover Road for the report of a suspicious man with a child. Once on scene, the officers began speaking with the man who provided a false name and date of birth. One of the officers took out his phone and looked up a blog with information about a child abduction reported by Metro Transit Police. Both officers agreed the man they were talking to was the suspect. The suspect then tried to run away while still holding the child. The officers ran after him and were able to take him into custody. The child wasn’t hurt and was reunited with her mother.
District IV Police Officer of the Month
Corporal Kevin Brooks Sr.
On July 20, 2014, Corporal Kevin Brooks conducted a traffic stop in the 3300 block of Branch Avenue in Temple Hills. The car was being driven without headlights on at night. After stopping the car, Corporal Brooks detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from the car. Further investigation revealed seven white pills of suspected morphine, a two- liter bottle of suspected liquid codeine and a scale. The front passenger had a marijuana cigarette. A bag was also recovered containing 127 grams of suspected marijuana and a loaded handgun with the serial number removed. The driver was arrested and the passenger was issued a criminal citation for possession of marijuana.
District V Police Officers of the Month
Police Officer First Class Scott Weisbrod
Police Officer Orlando Treadwell
On July 20, 2014, Police Officer First Class Scott Weisbrod and Police Officer Orlando Treadwell were called to Clinton Way in Clinton for the report of a suspicious vehicle. When they arrived, the car was gone, but the officers continued to patrol in the area. A short time later, the suspicious vehicle sped by the officers. POFC Weisbrod and Officer Treadwell were able to catch up to the car moments after the occupants left it parked in a nearby driveway. The two suspects were quickly caught near the car. Inside the car was a loaded handgun on the driver’s floor board. The gun had been stolen in an earlier burglary. Both suspects were arrested.
District VI Police Officer of the Month
Police Officer Michael Risher
On July 5, 2014, Police Officer Michael Risher responded to Cherry Hill Road in Beltsville for an unknown trouble. Once on the scene, a witness told Officer Risher a woman had just been stabbed, the victim’s child was inside the home and the suspect may still be on the scene. With the assistance of a squad member, a room to room search was conducted. Officer Risher forced entry into a basement room where the victim and child were hiding. Officer Risher saw the victim’s extensive injuries and used tools from his newly-issued trauma kit to try to stop the bleeding. The officer had just been trained to use the trauma kit days earlier. The victim was rushed to a hospital where doctors stated that Officer Risher likely saved the victim’s life.
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