Prince George's County Office of the Sheriff - Sheriff Melvin C. High Funeral Services

 

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Prince George's County Office of the Sheriff - Sheriff Melvin C. High Funeral Services

 

Deputies Arrest Attempted First Degree Murder Suspect

  Upper Marlboro, MD… The Office of the Sheriff’s Warrant/Fugitive Division reported the arrest of Rohan Dwayne Patterson, on November 17, 2022, on a warrant for Attempted First Degree Murder obtained by county police on November 8, 2022.

According to the warrant, on November 8, 2022, police responded for a reported shooting in the 9500 block of Allentown Way, in Fort Washington, MD. When police spoke with the victim, they learned the victim and Patterson were supposed to meet up to settle a dispute. Both parties picked a mutual place to meet up. Patterson was driving behind the victim and allegedly fired a gun at the victim and fled the scene. Through their investigation, detectives were able to identify Patterson as the suspect.     

 

On November 17, 2022, deputies determined that Patterson was located at an address in the 500 block of Wilson Bridge Drive, in Oxon Hill, MD. Upon arrival, deputies were able to identify Patterson, he was then served with the warrant, placed into custody, and safely transported to detectives at the Prince George’s County Police Department without incident.   

Patterson is also charged with Attempted Second-Degree Murder, First-Degree Assault, Second-Degree Assault, Firearm Use/felony-Violent Crime, Reckless Endangerment from Car, Loaded Handgun in Vehicle, Handgun in Vehicle, Handgun on Person, and Loaded Handgun on Person.

For more information contact the Communications and Public Affairs Division at 301-780-8637.

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Passing of Sheriff Melvin C. High

The following comments are from the previous Chief Assistant Sheriff, and now current Prince George’s County Sheriff Darrin C. Palmer

It is with profound sadness that I am announcing the passing of Sheriff Melvin C. High.  Sheriff High was feeling ill and checked into Washington Hospital Center where he passed earlier today.  I have been in contact with his wife, Brenda, and his daughter, Tracy.  I have shared my personal condolences, those of the agency, our law enforcement community, and those of this community who dearly loved and respected Sheriff High.  The family is asking for privacy at this time and I implore everyone to respect their wishes.

Sheriff Melvin C. High was serving in and nearly completing his third term as the elected Sheriff for Prince George’s County.  He was first elected in 2010.  Over the last twelve years, Sheriff High modernized the Sheriff’s Office focusing on professional growth of the agency, top tier training, effective service delivery, and accountability.  A significant accomplishment has been accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) demonstrating contemporary, 21st century agency standards and the verified proof the agency meets or exceeds those standards.  The agency was accredited 4 years ago and received annual reaccreditation as recently as this year. 

Prior to becoming the elected Sheriff, Sheriff High served as the Chief of Police in Prince George’s County for five years, beginning in 2003.  During his tenure as Police Chief, he overhauled the agency policy manual and led the agency through the Department of Justice Consent Decree and Memorandum of Agreement.  During this important time, he also reduced violent crime in the County.

Sheriff High served as the Chief of Police in Norfolk, Virginia for ten years prior to coming to Prince George’s County where he introduced and instituted Community Policing.

Sheriff High started his law enforcement career in 1969 in Washington, D.C.  He rose through the ranks of the Metropolitan Washington D.C. Police Department to attain the rank of Assistant Chief of Police and served there as the second in command.

Sheriff High was a participating member of many organizations, including: the National Association of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Maryland Chiefs of Police Association, the Prince George’s County Police Chiefs Association, the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police, the Hampton Roads Chiefs of Police Association, the Association of FBI National Academy Graduates, the Maryland Sheriff’s Association, and the National Sheriffs Association. 

He held a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Tennessee State University and a Master’s Degree in Business and Public Administration from Southeastern University in Washington, D.C.

Sheriff High’s full biography is available on the website. 

I have had the pleasure of being associated with Melvin C. High for nearly 20 years now.  I have unending respect for him, and it has been the highlight of my professional career to have worked for and with him.  Sheriff High is the epitome of the law enforcement professional.  He is learned, thoughtful, caring, and the consummate teacher.  I have watched as he fielded calls from chiefs around this country seeking his input and guidance.  He always assisted.

He deeply loved this agency and worked tirelessly to grow and improve it, and he sought every day to make Prince George’s County a better place.  He lent his talents, not just to law enforcement, but to matters of health, education, and all aspects of government. 

Sheriff Melvin C. High was an exceptional human being who gave everything he had in service to others.  He is loved and will be deeply missed by everyone.

Sheriff High appointed me his Chief Assistant Sheriff when he took office twelve years ago. According to Maryland Courts and Judicial Proceedings, Section 2-309, upon his untimely passing, the role of the Chief Assistant Sheriff is to assume all the powers, duties, responsibilities, and obligations of the Sheriff.  As such, I was sworn in today at 3 p.m. to serve as Sheriff of Prince George’s County and will uphold that obligation until the new Sheriff-elect John Carr is sworn in next month. 

I want to thank the men and women, sworn and civilian, for their kind words and support during this very difficult time. 

I again share my deepest sympathies and condolences to the High family.  I know Prince George’s County mourns with me and our agency on their loss.  Eternal God, please let Sheriff Melvin High rest in peace. 

 

 

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The Prince George’s County Office of the Sheriff will be holding a Press Conference at Sheriff Headquarters today at 5:00 P.M. in reference to the passing of Sheriff Melvin C. High. (5303 Chrysler Way Upper Marlboro, MD)

 

Sheriff’s Deputies Arrest Armed Carjacking Suspects

Upper Marlboro, MD… The Office of the Sheriff’s Warrant/Fugitive Division reported the Arrest of Oluwatobi Edebiyi on November 3, 2022, and Vincent Elijah Oliver on November 7, 2022, on warrants for Armed Carjacking obtained by county police in October 2022.    

According to the warrant, on July 23, 2022, police responded to the 700 block of Harry S. Truman Drive in Upper Marlboro, MD, for the report of an Armed Carjacking. Police arrived and spoke with a victim who reported working for a ride-share company. After arriving at a nearby location to deliver food to Oliver, Edebiyi allegedly approached the victim and displayed a handgun. Oliver and Edebiyi demanded the victim’s property and vehicle keys. In fear, the victim complied. Once the suspects obtained the victim’s property and vehicle, they fled toward Harry S. Truman Drive. Through their investigation, detectives could identify Oliver and Edebiyi as the two suspects.

On November 3rd, deputies determined that Edebiyi could be located at an address on Louisville Ln. in Upper Marlboro, MD. Upon arrival, deputies identified Edebiyi, served him with the warrant, and placed him into custody. On November 7th, deputies determined that Oliver could be located at an address on Queen Elizabeth Dr, in Upper Marlboro, MD. Upon arrival, deputies identified Oliver, served him with the warrant, and placed him into custody. Both Suspects were safely transported to the Department of Corrections in Upper Marlboro, MD, without incident.

Both suspects were charged with Armed Carjacking, Assault First Degree, Firearm Use Felony-Violent Crime, Armed Robbery, Robbery, Assault Second Degree, Theft: $1,500 to Under $25,000, Handgun on a Person, Handgun in Vehicle, and Rogue and Vagabond.

For more information about this release contact the communications and Public Affairs Division at 301-780-7354.

Have a Happy and Safe Veterans Day Weekend!