 |
|
|
|
 |
 |
Corporal Richard Findley was killed in the line of duty Friday morning in Laurel during an altercation with two men suspected of driving a stolen vehicle.
Findley, a 10-year veteran of the force, is survived by a wife and two young daughters, according to police.
According to an initial statement, Prince George's County police said the slain officer had been watching a stolen vehicle. He saw two men get into the vehicle. Suspecting he had been spotted, police say the officer got out of his vehicle to stop the men.
Police said the stolen car veered toward the officer, who was struck in the 14700 block of Laurel-Bowie Road in Laurel. Police believe he drew his weapon and may have fired a shot.
| » Stephen Tschida reports: police mourn loss of officer |
"They located a vehicle that was suspicious in nature," said Major Dwayne Preston, Commander of the District 6-Beltsville station, in a news conference outside of Laurel Regional Hospital. "When they tried to enforce an action against that vehicle, Cpl. Findley was fatally wounded as a result of that action."
Investigators say they have identified the suspect vehicle. It was a pickup truck with several visible bullet holes in the driver's side door and windshield.
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Findley was tasked to the department's Special Assignment Team.
| » ABC 7 Talkback: send your condolences |
NewsChopper 7 captured pictures of two people being taken into custody during the massive manhunt. Investigators have taken four people into custody; however, they continue to ask anyone to come forward with any information that may lead to more arrests.
Multiple law enforcement agencies surrounded the Laurel-area neighborhood, sending in K-9 officers and SWAT teams to search for the men Friday.
Hovering overhead, NewsChopper 7 spotted as many as 50 police cruisers on the scene.
The officer is the first to be killed in Prince George's County since 2005.
"He died helping the community," firefighter Todd Fletcher said.
Cpl. Findley served as a firefighter for 20 years at the Beltsville Fire House. Black bunting and his helmet adorn the outside of the building, while inside, his gear hangs as a memorial.
"He had two different jobs but both of them involved helping the citizens and that's what Rich was about," Chief Al Schwartz said.
A family devoted to serve, Cpl. Findley's sister, currently is a police officer in Montgomery County (web|news) and his wife Kelly became a volunteer firefighters a couple of years after he did. Their colleagues and friends at the fire house mourned together. "You can walk in this firehouse and be down or upset about something and all you have to do is talk to Rich Findley. He would put a smile on your face."
Capt. Scott Haines with the police department, describes Findley as a family man who always put others before himself. "He was a policeman's policeman and he also had a soft side of him and he had a deep heart," Haines said.
The 39-year-old's grieving family was rushed by helicopter from their Carroll County home to Laurel Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead before they arrived.
"I've known Rich for 20 years in the fire service and he has been a tremendous friend, a tremendous comrade, somebody I would entrust my life with," Fletcher said.
It's very sad and not fair that the family and friends of this officer have to lay him to rest due to these ignorant individuals. And I'm honestly not sad to hear that this individual past away in his cell today. I wished he would have lived to stand trial, but you know what....OH WELL. Either way, it's not going to ease the mind and hearts of Officer Findley's 2 little girls, his wife, his parents or his friends and other family members. He died in the line of duty and will always be remembered.
These teens and criminals have no respect for them selves, so we can't expect them to have respect for others or especially the law. Next time you see a police officer, try telling them thank you for their hard work and letting them know you appreciate them. They put their lives on the line DAILY to deal with these individuals and they are doing the best that they can.......
ABC 7 News to leave comments on news stories.