Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Missing Swimmers Near Great Falls Park

Two swimmers are missing after a late afternoon swim in the Potomac River near Great Falls Park in Cabin John, Maryland.

On June 21, 2009, a group of six swimmers illegally entered the Potomac River south of the main falls near Purple Horse Beach. This group attempted to swim across the river. Four swimmers self rescued and came ashore noticing that two were unaccounted for.

The Montgomery County Department of Fire and Rescue Services deployed a swift water rescue team from the Cabin John Park Fire Department. United States Park Police Aviation also responded to attempt to locate and rescue these missing people.

After a search of over two hours, the search was scaled back to await morning light.

The next day, the river rescue teams and United States Park Police units including Eagle One returned to continue looking.

As of June 23, 2009, the missing swimmers have not been found. For the past several weeks, a significant amount of rain has fallen in the area bringing high water levels to the Potomac River.

The United States Park Police stresses the importance of staying out of the Potomac River in the Gorge area from Great Falls towards Key Bridge as this area has treacherous currents that may be fatal to even strong swimmers.

Metro Disaster In Washington, DC

At least seven people have died in a train accident in Northeast Washington, DC. During the evening rush hour on June 22, 2009, two Metro trains collided on the Red Line between the Fort Totten and Takoma Park Stations.

With over seventy people injured and some in critical condition, the on scene commanders utilized United States Park Police Aviation assets to medevac multiple patients to area trauma centers.

Eagle One was an integral link in the disaster mitigation efforts providing needed advanced critical care and transport for this incident.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Road Closures For Sunday June 21, 2009

There will be several road closures on Sunday June 21, 2009 to accommodate the Dextro Energy Triathlon event in downtown Washington, DC.

These road closures will take effect at 4:00 am and reopen at 2:00 pm.

US Park Police officers will be on site to assist visitors and motorists.

• Lincoln Memorial Circle s/b to include 23rd Street to Independence Avenue
• Rock Creek Parkway from Virginia Ave to Parkway Drive
• Parkway Drive from Rock Creek Parkway to Lincoln Memorial Circle
• Independence Ave from 15th Street to 23rd Street
• Constitution Ave from 15th Street to 23rd Street
• West Potomac Park from Inlet Bridge to 23rd Street, to include West Basin Drive
• Maine Avenue from SE Freeway to Independence Avenue
• 15th Street from Maine Avenue to Constitution Avenue
• 17th Street from Independence Avenue to Constitution Avenue
• Jefferson Drive from 15th Street to 3rd Street
• Madison Drive from 15th Street to 3rd Street
• Daniel French Drive
• Henry Bacon Drive
• Holocaust Museum alley between 14th and 15th Street
• Bureau of Engraving and Printing alley between 14th – 15th Street
• East Basin Drive @ ramp to 14th Street Bridge (2100-2145)

Welcome To New Officers

The United States Park Police is pleased to announce the addition of thirty five new officers. These new officers join our ranks following an extensive training program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Brunswick, Georgia and further agency specific training in Washington, DC.

The new officers are:

• Peter Bechtold
• Brian Biggs
• Jessica Childress
• Sherice Clanton
• James Dingeldein
• Vincet Fors
• Martin Gibson
• Anthony Glaze
• Joseph Griess
• Valerie Hall
• Michael Harris
• Christian Kaikai
• Kyle Kefer
• David Lagrossa
• Ronson Leiter
• Matthew Manning
• Bruce Martin
• Tara McBride
• Michael Miller
• James Moran
• Jessup Olson
• Kaori Ozawa
• Francisco Pacheco
• Russell Phillips
• Tiffany Reed
• Jeffrey Soja
• Alan Szulwach
• Glenn Thompson II
• Benjamin Tomasiello
• Thomas Twiname
• Robert Usher
• Tron Vi
• Allen Ward
• Omari Wilson
• Joshua Worrell

The United States Park Police wishes these new officers the best of luck in their new careers and looks forward to working with all of them.

Congratulations for a job well done.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Death Investigation In Constitution Gardens

A body was found in Constitution Gardens Park in Washington, DC located east of the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial.

At about 7:00 am on June 9, 2009, Officers from the United States Park Police located an adult male who was found deceased in the Park area between the 1900 block of Constitution Avenue and the lake of Constitution Gardens.

Washington, DC Metropolitan Police are leading the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death. The United States Park Police is assisting in the investigation.

All death investigations in Washington, DC are performed by the Metropolitan Police.

Police Involved Shooting

One person is dead following an investigation of an armed subject in the 1200 block of Holbrook Street NE Washington, DC.

On Monday June 8, 2009 at about 8:30 pm, four United States Park Police Detective were investigating information that a subject was in possession of a gun. The suspect was located and he was followed into a nearby alley.

Once in the alley, the United States Park Police Detectives were forced to open fire upon the suspect. The suspect was transported to Washington Hospital Center Medstar where he was pronounced dead.

A firearm was found at the scene.

The Washington, DC Metropolitan Police Department is conducting the investigation of this incident. All death investigations in Washington, DC are investigated by Metropolitan Police.

Monday, June 8, 2009

Fatal Car Crash Suitland Parkway

Sunday June 7, 2009 at 11:20 pm, the United States Park Police responded to a single vehicle car crash eastbound Suitland Parkway between Suitland Road and Forestville Road. Officers found a single vehicle in the wood line on its side against a tree with four passengers inside.

The two male passengers in the rear were removed and transported to Prince Georges Hospital Center in Cheverly, Md.

The front seat passenger, an adult female, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver, an adult female, was severely pinned with her legs trapped under the dashboard. Prince Georges County Fire Department units from Morningside, District Heights, and Seat Pleasant utilizing two Heavy Rescue Squads, one Engine, two ALS and one BLS unit spent over two hours extricating this person from the car. She was transported by United States Park Police Aviation Eagle 1 to Washington Hospital Center Medstar with serious injuries.

The decedent is Keyanna Bowser, 19 years old, of Capitol Heights, Maryland.

The United States Park Police Criminal Investigations Branch and Crash Reconstructionists are continuing their investigation. No causitive factors have been determined at this time.

Friday, June 5, 2009

New United States Park Police Sergeants

The United States Park Police is pleased to announce several promotions.

On June 7, 2009 the following promotions will take effect:

• Brandi Adamchik from Officer, Horse Mounted Patrol to Sergeant, District 3

• Eric Haapapuro from Officer, Aviation to Sergeant, Aviation

• Patrick Kaiser from Officer, District 2 to Sergeant, District 1

• James Murphy from Officer, Horse Mounted Patrol to Sergeant, District 3

• Heathar Putnam from Officer, District 4 to Sergeant, District 1

• David Whitehorn from Officer, District 2 to Sergeant, District 4

Congratulations to these new Sergeants.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Komen Race For The Cure Road Closures

On Saturday June 6, 2009 the United States Park Police will implement several road closures to accommodate the Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure.

• Constitution Avenue will be closed from 15th Street to 23rd Street NW at 7:00 am and reopened at 10:00 am.

• Madison and Jefferson Drives in the National Mall will be closed from 15th Street to 3rd Street at 6:00 am and reopened at 10:00 am.

• 15th and 17th Streets will be closed from Independence Avenue to Constitution Avenue at 7:00 am and reopened at 10:00 am.

• Other street closures will be made by the Washington, DC Metropolitan Police Department.

United States Park Police officers will be on site to assist visitors in these areas.