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
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.
