PGPD Honors Patrol Officers of the Month

Whether the temperatures are sweltering or below the freezing mark, the members of the Prince George’s County Police Department suit up to protect the citizens of the county.  Their good work too often goes unnoticed.  Here are the patrol officers of the month for June 2013.

District I Police Officer of the Month

Police Officer First Class Michael Meta

On June 29, 2013, Police Officer First Class Michael Meta responded to a theft call in College Park. While speaking to the victim who was able to provide a description of the suspect’s car, POFC Meta got a second call for a theft nearby. While talking to that victim, POFC Meta spotted the suspect’s car. POFC Meta pulled over the car and detained the five passengers.  While handling the traffic stop, POFC Meta was made aware of a robbery that had also just taken place in the area. The suspect vehicle in that robbery also matched the car POFC had just stopped.  Further investigation revealed that all five suspects in the car were involved in the three crimes.  They were all arrested.

District II Police Officer of the Month

Corporal Brian Kane

On June 24, 2013, Corporal Brian Kane was called to the 8500 block of Greenbelt Road for the report of a citizen robbery.  The victim had just been robbed of his cell phone.  Corporal Kane was serving as a Field Training Officer and coordinated the investigation while ensuring his junior officer followed proper investigatory techniques. The investigation quickly led to a description of the suspects.  Corporal Kane and his trainee spotted one of the suspects.  He was caught and arrested after a short foot chase.  The suspect’s accomplice was also identified and arrested.

District III Police Officers of the Month

Police Officer Garrett Askew

Police Officer Michael Lesesne

On June 29, 2013, Police Officers Garrett Askew and Michael Lesesne were called to the area of Addison Road and Ronald Road for the report of three men walking in the area, one of whom was armed with a gun. POs Askew and Lesesne tactically approached the group from the rear, while additional patrol officers approached from the front and side.  As verbal commands were given to the suspects, one of the men pulled a black gun from his waistband, hesitated and then threw it behind him.  Due to the close proximity of the other suspects, POs Askew and Lesesne exercised extreme firearms discipline and arrested the suspects without firing their service weapons.

District IV Police Officer of the Month

Police Officer Eric Beale

On June 3, 2013, patrol officers were called to the 7400 block of Bellfield Avenue for the report of a citizen robbery.  A victim had been assaulted and had his property stolen. While canvassing the area, PO Beale initiated a traffic stop on a car matching the suspect vehicle. Four men were inside of the car.  While handling the stop, PO Beale saw the victim’s stolen cell phone in plain view.  All four suspects were arrested.

                   

District V Police Officers of the Month

Corporal Adam Wyatt

Police Officer First Class Jeffrey Azumah

On May 29, 2013, Corporal Adam Wyatt and Police Officer First Class Jeffrey Azumah were called to the 21100 block of Aquasco Road for the report of an attempted suicide. The dispatcher advised that a woman had cut her wrists and locked herself in a room. When the patrol officers arrived on scene, they saw that the house was full of smoke. It was learned that the woman had set her bedroom on fire and refused to come out. Corporals Wyatt and POFC Azumah ran into the house and found the woman clinging to a couch. They pulled her outside to safety. Emergency medical personnel were waiting and were able to begin treating the woman.

District VI Police Officer of the Month

Corporal Luis Rivera

On June 1, 2013, Corporal Luis Rivera was on routine patrol in the area of Cedar Lane and Elmwood Road in Beltsville when he spotted three juveniles walking in between parked cars.  Corporal Rivera conducted an investigatory stop and found the teens were in possession of several cell phones, car charges and a flashlight. Corporal Rivera notified Regional Investigation Division – Northern Region about the arrests. Corporal Rivera was later notified that the teens were also responsible for several other thefts from cars in the area.