Police Officer of the Month

June 2002

Chief Livesay selected PFC Patrick Eckley as Police Officer of the Month for June 2002.

PFC Eckley's performance during several major incidents were not only a credit to him but also the men and women of the Department. In one such incident, it is beyond refute, PFC Eckley's actions saved a young woman from being murdered. Below are several examples of the exemplary performance he has rendered during the month.

Breaking & Entering: PFC Eckley responded to the Northern District at the request of officers responding to a breaking and entering in progress. After arriving, PFC Eckley discovered that patrol units had detained three suspects, however, a fourth was still outstanding. Without hesitation, PFC Eckley immediately deployed his canine and initiated a trail. Within minutes, PFC Eckley located the fourth suspect and advised patrol who subsequently took him into custody.

Robbery: Officers were dispatched to the Long Reach Village Center in reference to a robbery that had just occurred. Upon arrival, the initial units located a subject who had sustained injuries to the face when he was "pistol whipped" with a handgun during a street robbery. The victim advised that the suspects had departed the area in a small red Chevrolet style vehicle. PFC Eckley along with other officers observed a small red vehicle matching the description traveling westbound on Route 108 at Thunder Hill. The vehicle was stopped on a Felony stop and both suspects were taken into custody. A search of the vehicle produced a loaded handgun and 20 individual "rocks" of crack cocaine. One of the suspects had been previously charged with homicide in Howard County and was thought to be a suspect in another in Baltimore County.

Rape In Progress: PFC Eckley responded to Columbia Road for a report of a Rape in progress. When PFC Eckley arrived on the scene, he was advised of a brief description of the suspect and a possible starting point for a trail into the wood line. PFC Eckley deployed his canine Ben and began the task of acquiring any residual scent that may still be in the area. K-9 Ben picked up a trail that led into the wood line and into dense sticker bushes. PFC Eckley persevered through the painful bushes as his dog began to pull harder on the trail. PFC Eckley then illuminated the area to the front of Ben and observed a male on top of a female in the act of sexually assaulting her. The male had the female pinned to the ground as she struggled to get free. PFC Eckley ordered the male subject to get up and show his hands. When the male stood, PFC Eckley observed that the female was covered in blood. The male fled through the woods in an attempt to escape. PFC Eckley commanded his dog to apprehend the suspect and released him off lead. After a short foot chase, Ben apprehended the suspect by biting him in the left calf. The suspect, however, refused to give up and a struggle ensued as PFC Eckley attempted to apply handcuffs. PFC Eckley managed to single-handedly handcuff the suspect.

PFC Eckley is a hard dedicated worker in every sense of the word.

Congratulations and keep up the good work!