Five officers were recognized this week for their exceptional response in de-escalating an incident last year, on Tuesday, March 3, 2015. Officers Ammar Rahim, Perry Morgan, James Da’Re, Christopher Brown, and Matthew Rider were each presented with with the Medal of Valor for courageously and safely resolving a crisis.
Around 2:25 pm on March 3, 2015, the Third District Officers were dispatched to an aggravated assault call, at 4th and Bryant Streets, Northwest. The officers were instructed to be on lookout for the suspect, described as a black male with dreadlocks, pushing a baby in a stroller. Officers Da’Re and Brown located the suspect on 4th Street, Northwest, walking southbound with a knife in hand.
According to the police, the suspect, who had assaulted a lady and abducted the baby, was high on PCP during the incident. The officers quickly took charge, requesting additional units with Crisis Intervention.
Crisis Intervention Officers (CIO) are sworn members who have additional training in crisis intervention and responding to mental health issues. Officers are trained to recognize the signs of mental illness and crisis, determine the most appropriate response, and use de-escalation techniques that enhance their ability to provide services.
Once additional units arrived, Officers Rahim, Morgan, and Rider joined Brown and Da’Re in pursuing the suspect on foot. The officers voiced clear verbal commands for the suspect to put the knife down and let the baby go, taking all precautions to protect the child and ensure the safety of citizens by clearing the area of pedestrians and traffic.
“They did all the right things that day,” Third District Commander Stuart Emerman said. “The Officers communicated loud verbal commands for the suspect to put down the knife and let the baby go. The child’s safety is always a priority during any encounter.”
Once the suspect reached Anna J. Cooper Circle, Northwest, he turned and pointed the knife towards the officers. In an attempt to subdue him, Officer Rahim, a three-year veteran and CIO, moved closer to the suspect. The suspect then lunged towards him, cutting the left side of Officer Rahim’s neck with his knife.
Officer Rahim, who had just completed his CIO training in December 2014, recalls, “The individual was dragging a baby with him while he was swinging a knife at me and other officers.” Despite the danger the suspect presented, Rahim states, “I wanted to apprehend the individual safely and without any incident.”
The suspect then used the baby in the stroller to shield himself from the officers before dropping the knife, throwing the stroller to the ground and fleeing, westbound, on foot. He attempted to divert the officers attention by leaving the child face down on the ground, but Officers Brown and Rider continued to pursue the suspect on foot.
With much resistance, the officers were able to restrain the suspect. Both Officer Brown and Officer Rahim were assaulted by the suspect in their attempts to subdue him. The suspect, 25, is scheduled to be sentenced next month, and has pleaded guilty to assault with intent to kill and assault with a dangerous weapon.
The child survived the incident with no injuries and was taken to child and family services. The officers later discovered that the initial call was made after the female, whom the suspect had allegedly stabbed in the neck with a knife, showed up at Howard University Hospital.
“Due to the officers’ concerted actions, they were able to make an apprehension of a violent person and safeguard the life of a child,” said Commander Emerman, speaking highly of the officers involved. “They performed with valor in this situation.”
The Medal of Valor is presented to officers who exemplify extraordinary bravery and heroism and is MPD’s second highest honor. Congratulations to five MPD and CIO officers who deserve the recognition, and thank you for protecting the citizens of Washington DC.
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