Baltimore County police officer killed in line of duty honored with new sign
BALTIMORE -- A new sign was unveiled Wednesday to honor a Baltimore County Police officer who was killed in the line of duty in May 2018.
Family, county leaders, and community members reflected in Perry Hall as the sign was placed along Honeygo Boulevard for fallen officer Amy Caprio.
"This sign stands as a tribute to Amy's selfless service and enduring legacy in this community," said Baltimore County Police Chief Robert McCullough.
Caprio was killed in a residential neighborhood of Perry Hall during a traffic stop as she was responding to reports of a suspicious vehicle.
The incident led to an hours-long manhunt that left residents and students in nearby schools sheltering in place. Four teens were eventually arrested and charged in connection with her death.
"We remember Officer Caprio who shared four years of incredible service with the Baltimore County Police Department," Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski said.
At the time, Caprio was the 11th officer to die in the line of duty in Baltimore County since 1932, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.
"She woke up that day dedicated to serving as she always has," Olszewski said. "She reminds us just how much of a family we are to one another."
Family reacts to Caprio sign unveiling
Amy Caprio's parents, sister, and niece attended Wednesday's sign unveiling ceremony at Honeygo Run Regional Park.
"I honestly believe she is a guardian angel for each of her blue brothers and sisters and that they're completing the work she didn't get to complete," said Debbie Sorrells, Caprio's mother.
Sorrells added that she wants her daughter's light and spirit to guide the thoughts of passersby as they see the sign that says, "In Memory of Officer Amy Caprio."
"I hope that everyone who sees this is reminded of all of our first responders," Sorrells said. "They are the ones that put their lives on the line for us each and every day. I pray that we find positive memories and heal."
4 Teens Indicted
Four teens - Dawnta Harris, Eugene Genius, Derrick Matthews, and Darrell Ward - were indicted on 19 charges after Caprio's death, including murder and burglary.
Prosecutors said the teens were on a crime spree in the Perry Hall area that day.
The indictment said the group stole items from three homes and broke into one of them before 16-year-old Harris ran over Caprio in a stolen Jeep as the other teens were stealing.
During Harris' trial, footage from Caprio's body-worn camera was released, showing the officer repeatedly commanding Harris to get out of the car. She fired one shot before she was struck by the vehicle.
During the trial, Harris' attorney argued that Harris was afraid and did not intend to kill Officer Caprio.
"I was scared. I didn't know what to do. I put my head down. I didn't look. I pushed the gas," Harris said during testimony.
Harris was sentenced to life in prison for his role in Caprio's death.
"I didn't want to hurt her. I just felt I was in a life-or-death situation. I wish I could go back to that day and not do what I did," he wrote in a letter his attorney read during the sentencing hearing.
Following Harris' conviction, the remaining three teens - Genius, Matthews and Ward - pleaded guilty to felony murder in a deal that kept them from spending their lives in prison. The burglary charges were dropped under the plea deal.
The three teens were sentenced to 30 years in prison.
