Press Releases - June 2005

June 21, 2005

PRESS RELEASE
Shooting Death of Prince George’s County Police Officer

The Prince George’s County Police Department is saddened to announce the shooting death of one of our officers.

Cpl. Steven F. Gaughan was assigned to the Beltsville District, Special Assignment Team. Today around 11:00 a.m., officers working on the team spotted a suspicious vehicle and attempted to make a stop. The vehicle fled and stopped in the 11700 block of South Laurel Drive, Laurel. An occupant bailed out from the vehicle and during a foot chase, shots were exchanged. Cpl. Gaughan and one suspect were both struck. They were both transported by helicopter to a local hospital where several hours later, Cpl. Gaughan succumbed to his injuries.

Two additional individuals were captured in a nearby apartment building without further incident. The suspects are in custody and charges are pending. All involved suspects have been taken into custody.

“This is one of the hardest things for a police chief to deal with. Cpl. Gaughan was just like my own son,” said Prince George’s County Police Chief Melvin C. High. “I ask the public to please pray for Cpl. Gaughan’s family and our police family.”

Cpl. Gaughan, 41, was a fifteen and one-half-year veteran of the department. He leaves behind a wife and two young children.

“This has been a very sad day for Prince George’s County. He was a wonderful police officer. It is a sad day for all of us, and it’s a sad day for all officers,” said Prince George’s County Executive Jack B. Johnson. “Cpl. Gaughan woke up every morning and went to work to make lives safer for everyone. My heart is broken.”