PGPD Remembers Fallen Hero Officer Alfred W. Steinat

Officer Alfred W. Steinat

   

  Let us pause to remember our Fallen Hero, Officer Alfred W. Steinat, lost this day in 1963 while interviewing a theft suspect in David Sector.

       Ofc. Steinat was born on July 5, 1936.  He joined the Prince George's County Police Department on May 16, 1962, after serving with honor and distinction in the United States Marine Corps.  Upon completion of his Academy training, Ofc. Steinat was assigned to the Upper Marlboro Station and subsequently reassigned to the new Bowie Station.

       Shortly after midnight on the morning of May 2, 1963, Ofc. Steinat responded to a theft complaint at a service station on Route 301 in Bowie, Maryland.  After interviewing the complainant, he left the scene to canvass the area for the suspect.  Approximately one hour later, an Anne Arundel County police officer observed Ofc. Steinat's police vehicle on the northbound shoulder of Route 3 near the Prince George's County/ Anne Arundel County border.  The officer proceeded to check the area at which point he discovered Ofc. Steinat lying in the nearby woodline suffering from a fatal gunshot wound to his back.  Subsequent investigation revealed that Ofc. Steinat had located the theft suspect.  While being interviewed in the police vehicle, the suspect produced a handgun and shot the officer.  Despite being wounded, Ofc. Steinat pursued the suspect a short distance before collapsing and succumbing to his injuries.

       Ofc. Steinat served the Prince George's County Police Department for one year and was the third member of this Agency to make the Ultimate Sacrifice.  He was the fourth law enforcement officer to give his life while serving this Profession within Prince George's County, Maryland.

       At the time of his death, Officer Alfred W. Steinat was 26 years old and survived by his wife and four children.