PGPD Remembers Fallen K9 Pilgrim

The Prince George's County Police Department today is honoring our fallen K9 hero "Pilgrim" lost this day in 1988 while tracking theft suspects.

On October 28, 1988, at about 1:30 am, Corporal Charles Smith and his K9 partner responded to Baltimore Avenue near Contee Road to assist patrol officers with a search for three suspects wanted for bailing out of a stolen car.  The suspects were last seen running into a wooded area near the intersection. Corporal Smith and Pilgrim tracked the suspects into the wooded area.  Moments later, one of the suspects jumped out of hiding and began running to a nearby ravine. Pilgrim ran after the suspect at which point he was separated from Corporal Smith.  Corporal Smith immediately began searching for his K9 partner.  When Pilgrim wasn't found, a massive, multi-jurisdictional search was launched. Several hours later when daylight broke, a police helicopter spotted Pilgrim's remains on a nearby railroad track.  He had been struck and killed by a train while pursuing the suspect.

Pilgrim served the department for more than three years.  He was the second K9 member of this agency to give his life in the line of duty.  During his career, Pilgrim and his handler received 18 letters of commendation and were responsible for 87 criminal apprehensions.  At the time of his death, Pilgrim was five years old.

PGPD Charges Three Suspects in Murder of Jesse Chavez

Deandre Weems

Rinaldo Savon Washington

Kimfrey Williams

One week after 27 year old Jesse Chavez was fatally shot during a robbery at an Oxon Hill hotel, three suspects are now in custody and charged with the murder. 

The suspects, all from Southeast Washington, are identified as 20-year-old Deandre Weems, of the 4200 block of 6^th Street, 18-year-old Rinaldo Savon Washington, of the 1100 block of Barnaby Terrace and 23-year-old Kimfrey Williams, of the 5300 block of C Street.

Court documents state on October 21, 2013, at about 10:00 pm, Weems walked into an Oxon Hill hotel, pulled out a gun and demanded cash from an employee.  The employee complied.  Moments later, Chavez approached Weems, the two struggled and Weems shot Chavez.  Weems then ran to a car and fled in a dark-colored Toyota Camry.  Investigators believe Williams drove the car, and Washington acted as a lookout during the robbery.

The Prince George’s County Police Department quickly posted surveillance video and photos on our social media sites and asked for the public’s help in identifying the shooter.  Our community and media outlets pitched in, spreading the word online and on air. A tipster who saw that video then contacted Crime Solvers and anonymously provided the information detectives needed to close the case. Using the tipster’s information, detectives were able to identify Weems as the shooter.  Investigative developments then led to the identification of Washington and Williams.  That person is now eligible for up to $25,000 in reward money.

Detectives recovered the handgun used in the murder during a search of Weems’ home.  The torched getaway car, which was stolen, was also recovered in Washington, D.C. on October 24, 2013.

All of the suspects are in custody.  Williams and Washington are in Prince George's County.  Weems remains in custody in the District of Columbia, awaiting extradition.  The investigation is ongoing.  These suspects are believed to be responsible for additional robberies in Prince George’s County and Washington, D.C.

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For more information, please contact the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Media Relations Division at 301-772-4710.

PGPD to Announce Arrests in Murder of Jesse Chavez

The Prince George's County Police Department will announce the arrest of three suspects in connection with the murder of 27-year-old Jesse Chavez. Chavez was killed during a robbery at the Clarion Hotel in Oxon Hill on Monday, October 21, 2013.

Who:    Julie Parker, Media Relations Division Director


            Captain George Nichols, Assistant Commander, CID


When:  Monday, October 28, 2013


Time:   11:00 am


Where: Police Services Complex 


            7600 Barlowe Road


            Palmer Park, MD


For more information, please contact the Prince George's County Police Department's Media Relations Division at 301-772-4710.

PGPD Remembers Fallen Officer Lieutenant Roger Fleming

Let us pause to remember our fallen hero Lieutenant Roger P. Fleming, lost this day in 1992 while pursuing a suspect.

Lieutenant Fleming was born on May 15, 1956, in Laurel.  He joined the Prince George's County Police Department in October of 1974.  He was later promoted to rank of sergeant and assigned to the Hyattsville station.

Shortly after midnight on October 27, 1992, Lieutenant Fleming initiated a traffic stop on Kenilworth Avenue near Westchester Park Drive in College Park.  Instead of stopping, the driver sped away and Lieutenant Fleming began a pursuit.  As the pursuit continued to the Baltimore- Washington Parkway, the suspect headed for the exit ramp to New York Avenue.  The suspect then suddenly crossed over the grass median back on the BW Parkway.  When Lieutenant Fleming attempted the same maneuver, he hit a curb and lost control. His cruiser then hit a tree.  Lieutenant Fleming died from his injuries.  

Lieutenant Fleming served the Prince George's County Police Department for 18 years and was the 19th member of this agency to make the ultimate sacrifice.  He was the 30th law enforcement officer to give his life in service to this profession within Prince George's County.

At the time of his death, Lieutenant Fleming was 36 years old and survived by his wife and two young daughters.