Police Officer of the Month

July 2005

Police Officer First Class Jason Dicerbo was selected as the Police Officer of the Month for July.

Early in the month, PFC Dicerbo located two suspects involved in a shoplifting incident from a store at the Columbia Mall. Not only did PFC Dicerbo recover the stolen items, he also discovered that the suspects had shoplifted from five other stores at the mall. The stolen merchandise was returned and the suspects were arrested for the series of thefts.

In another case, PFC Dicerbo investigated a series of assaults that were occurring in the Columbia area. The suspects had been driving around shooting pedestrians with paintball guns. PFC Dicerbo was able to get a tag number from a witness who saw one of the shootings take place. He found the vehicle owner and identified all of the suspects, who were charged with the assaults.

Later in the month, PFC Dicerbo assisted traffic officers working an event at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia. The officers observed a vehicle commit a traffic violation and believed the driver was possibly under the influence of drugs or alcohol. PFC Dicerbo responded and conducted sobriety tests on the driver, while a K-9 officer scanned the vehicle for any evidence of drugs. The driver and passengers of the vehicle were all later arrested after PFC Dicerbo found suspected marijuana and drug paraphernalia in the car.

Throughout July, PFC Dicerbo made 16 arrests, including two for drunk driving. In addition to writing 64 reports, PFC Dicerbo made 55 traffic stops and conducted 29 foot patrols and 89 business checks.

PFC Dicerbo is a consistent and productive officer who demonstrates initiative, professionalism and dedication to Howard County. The department congratulates him on a job well done.