Sheriff Dedicates “Fallen Heroes Memorial” During Police Week

Upper Marlboro, MD… In conjunction with Police Week 2013, the Prince George’s County Office of the Sheriff officially dedicated its “Fallen Heroes Memorial” memorializing the lives and service of Deputy First Class Elizabeth Magruder and Sergeant James Arnaud who were killed in the line of duty on August 29, 2002..  The dedication – on the grounds of the Sheriff’s Headquarters - comes during the week of the 15^th of May, which was proclaimed Police Week by President John F. Kennedy in 1962. 

Sheriff Melvin C. High, the Deputy Sheriff’s Association President Stanford Moore, family members of Deputies Magruder and Arnaud and members of the Sheriff’s Office were joined by, Prince George’s County & 7^th Judicial Circuit Administrative Judge Sheila Tillerson Adams, Mr. Barry Stanton, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Public Safety, along with Corporal Vince Canales, President of Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 89 and Mr. John Bartlett, President of the Maryland FOP.

In his remarks, Sheriff High said the moment of remembrance was important not only for those who were lost, but as well for the men and women who have served, who currently serve and who will serve.  Of the ultimate sacrifice of PFC Magruder and Sergeant Arnaud, High said, “Their sacrifice reminds us that not all people believe in the sanctity of human life and thus we are called to protect our society, yet in doing so, on too many occasions, our members must pay a heavy price for safety and freedom.”

Judge Adams called Sheriff’s Deputies the guardian angel of the courts. In remembrance of Deputies Magruder and Arnaud, she said “We forget that deputies go into people’s intimate spaces to serve commitments of the courts and we don’t realize how important and volatile that can be.”

Mr. Barry Stanton, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Public Safety, representing Public Safety and the Office of County Executive Rushern Baker offered remarks and read the Dedication Proclamation from the County Executive during the dedication. In his remarks, Stanton spoke to the difficulty of forging ahead in the aftermath of an officer lost in the line of duty, saying,“We can’t understand how hard it is on those who serve, on those who lead or on those who love.”

Deputy Sheriff’s Association President Corporal Stanford Moore called the dedication a very special day, and spoke about a total brotherhood of law enforcement officers, whether deputies, county police officers, fire-fighters, or municipal officers. ”Work and family, we separate the two. That’s what we signed up to do; it’s not for everybody,” he said.

Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) 89, Corporal Vince Canales said he remembered the sad day when Deputy Magruder and Arnaud were killed because he was the officer in charge of the investigation. “I walked in today with a sad memory that can now be replaced by a happy memory because of this memorial.”

Maryland State FOP President Rodney Bartlett spoke on behalf of the 23,000 law enforcement officers serving in the State of Maryland.

Councilmember Mel Franklin read the County Council Dedication Proclamation, followed by Mr. Stanton, after which Chief Asst. Sheriff Colonel Darrin Palmer asked everyone to draw near to encircle the families and President Moore as the memorial was unveiled.

The ceremony closed with a benediction by DSA Chaplain Eric Douglas as Retired Lt. Colonel Robert L. Kiker played “Taps”.

For more information contact the Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Press Information Office at 301-780-2773.

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Media Advisory: Office of the Sheriff Dedicates Fallen Heroes Memorial

Upper Marlboro, MD…  During Police Week 2013, the Office of the Sheriff will hold a ceremony marking the official dedication of its “Fallen Heroes Memorial” and honor the lives of Sergeant James Arnaud and DFC Elizabeth Magruder, who died in the line of duty in 2002 while attempting to serve an emergency petition. .

WHO:             Sheriff Melvin C. High and former Sheriffs

                        Office of the County Executive

                        Deputy Sheriff’s Association President Stan Moore

                        Family Members of Elizabeth Magruder and Sergeant James Arnaud

WHAT:          Dedication of “Fallen Heroes Memorial” and ceremony to honor the Memory of

Sgt. James Arnaud and DFC Elizabeth Magruder

WHEN:          Thursday, May 16, 2013

                        8:00 a.m.

WHERE:       Prince George’s County Office of the Sheriff – Site of the Memorial

                        5303 Chrysler Way, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772

A brief reception will follow the ceremony.

Members of the media are invited to attend; for more information contact the Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Office, Press Information Office at 301-780-7354.

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Deputies Close 5 Warrants with Arrest of Burglary Suspect

Upper Marlboro, MD… The Warrant Fugitive Division reported the arrest Tuesday of Dominique Walker on an arrest warrant for First Degree Burglary, obtained by County Police District IV detectives on March 1, 2013.

 

According to the warrant, Walker broke into a residence and stole various items in the 6800 block of Middlefield Terr. in Fort Washington, MD, on January 28, 2013.

Deputies investigating Walker’s whereabouts were led to the 4200 block of 28^th Ave. in Temple Hills, MD, where he was located and apprehended after attempting to flee from deputies. An additional 4 warrants for Burglary and Destruction of Property were closed with Walker’s arrest.

Detectives were notified of Walker’s arrest and he was transported to the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections – charged with 1^st, 3^rd and 4^th Degree Burglary, Conspiracy to Commit Burglary, Illegal Transportation of a Handgun and Theft.

For more information contact the Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Press Information Office at 301-780-2773.

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Suspect Arrested on Four 2002 Indictments for Robbery w/Deadly Weapon

Upper Marlboro, MD… The Warrant/Fugitive Division reported the arrest last Wednesday of Marlon Bethea on four indictments for Robbery with a Deadly Weapon and other related charges, issued by the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County, MD, on December 13, 2002.

Bethea was indicted by a Prince George’s County Grand Jury on robbery charges from four separate incidents that occurred on November 6^th, 10^th, and 12^th of 2002.  Bethea was also wanted on a warrant for Failure to Appear on Possession of a Concealed Deadly Weapon charges from May 12, 2004.

Deputies investigating the cold case followed a tip that led to a residence in the 1300 block of Belmont St. in Washington D.C, where Bethea was located. Metropolitan Washington police officers assisted in the apprehension.

Bethea was transported to the Metropolitan Police District III – charged as a Fugitive from Prince George’s County, MD. Bethea’s arrest closes the four indictment warrants – the four for Robbery with a Deadly Weapon and the one for Failure to Appear

For more information contact the Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Press Information Office at 301-780-2773.

Deputies Participate in 25th Annual Christmas in April

Upper Marlboro, MD… Chief Assistant Sheriff Darrin C. Palmer joined deputies, correctional officers and community volunteers Saturday for the 25^th Annual Christmas in April program at a residence in Landover, MD. 

Volunteers painted the interior and exterior of the residence, cut and trimmed trees and hedges, mulched flower beds and cut grass. A team of volunteers went to the home in the weeks leading up to Saturday’s event to make repairs to the electrical wiring of the home.

Sheriff Melvin High, who was on hand to meet the homeowners, said, “The Christmas in April concept has endured for so many years from its beginning in 1973, and this year marks the 25^th year here in the County. We’ve made a lot of people happy since then, and have gone home tired and happy ourselves. It’s good work and it’s a joy.”

More than 25 volunteers participated in Saturday’s day of service; contributing to thousands of dollars worth of repairs and upgrades to the residence.

For more information contact the Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Press Information Office at 301-780-2773.

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Deputies Honored at 36th Annual Public Safety Valor Awards

Upper Marlboro, MD… Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker III joined Sheriff Melvin C. High, Fire Chief Marc Bashoor, Police Chief Mark Magaw and Department of Corrections Director Mary Lou McDonough Wednesday at Martin’s Crosswinds in Greenbelt, MD, for the 36^th Annual Public Safety Valor Awards.

Three Sheriff’s Deputies were honored with the Silver Medal of Valor for heroic efforts that helped save the lives of a Capitol Heights family. Corporal Daniel Hardester and Privates Ricardo Dennis and Dwayne Stevenson were on the scene of a domestic violence call when they heard screams for help coming from across the street.

They noticed smoke coming from the rear of a single-family home and, without hesitation, entered the residence to search for occupants. The deputies safely evacuated three children and an adult from the residence, preventing a potentially tragic situation.

Corporal Mauricio Casanova was awarded the Gold Medal of Valor and Deputy Sheriff of the Year for his bravery and decisive actions during an April 2012, shooting. Casanova, along with members from the Sheriff’s Landlord and Tenant Division responded to a residence in Hyattsville to execute a court ordered eviction. As deputies attempted to enter the residence they were met with resistance from the homeowner, and the situation turned volatile.

Fearing for their safety, deputies discharged their firearms as they moved to positions of cover. As shots were fired, Casanova noticed the locksmith, who had been on the scene to assist deputies with entry into the home, scrambling to get out of the line of fire. Casanova, without regard for his own personal safety, left his position of cover, ran to the locksmith and covered him with his own body until the shooting stopped.

Sheriff High, the President of this year’s Public Safety Valor Awards, said, “The four Deputies honored today represent the very best of the law enforcement profession. I commend them for their brave and heroic efforts, and I salute all of today’s honorees who have dedicated themselves to serving others.”

For more information contact the Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Press Information Office at 301-780-2773.

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Sheriff High Joins Comptroller Peter Franchot in College Park, MD

Sheriff High and Chief Assistant Sheriff Palmer joined Comptroller Peter Franchot as he presented the College Park Volunteer Fire Department with a Proclamation in recognition of their dedication and exemplary service to the local community.