Live Radio
Home » Prince George's County, MD News » Thousands gather to mourn…

Thousands gather to mourn Md. officer killed in police station gunfight

WTOP Staff

March 25, 2016, 4:14 PM

Maryland police stand at attention upon the arrival of the hearse containing the casket of Police Officer First Class Jacai Colson for funeral services at First Baptist Church of Glenarden, Friday, March 25, 2016, in Upper Marlboro, Md. Jacai Colson, a four-year veteran of the force and a undercover narcotics officer was mortally wounded by his own colleagues as he responded to an attack on his police station by a gunman with a death wish. ( AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana
Prince George’s County, Md. police chief Henry P. Stawinski greets members of a Maryland police honor guard as they stand at attention before the arrival of the hearse containing the casket of Police Officer First Class Jacai Colson for funeral services at First Baptist Church of Glenarden, Friday, March 25, 2016, in Upper Marlboro, Md. Jacai Colson, a four-year veteran of the force and a undercover narcotics officer was mortally wounded by his own colleagues as he responded to an attack on his police station by a gunman with a death wish. ( AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana
A Prince George’s County, Md. police carry team carries the casket of Police Officer First Class Jacai Colson upon his arrival for funeral services at First Baptist Church of Glenarden, Friday, March 25, 2016, in Upper Marlboro, Md. Jacai Colson, a four-year veteran of the force and a undercover narcotics officer was mortally wounded by his own colleagues as he responded to an attack on his police station by a gunman with a death wish. ( AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana
The hearse containing the casket of Police Officer First Class Jacai Colson arrives for funeral services at First Baptist Church of Glenarden, Friday, March 25, 2016, in Upper Marlboro, Md. Jacai Colson, a four-year veteran of the force and a undercover narcotics officer was mortally wounded by his own colleagues as he responded to an attack on his police station by a gunman with a death wish. ( AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana
Maryland police escort the hearse containing the casket of Police Officer First Class Jacai Colson upon his arrival for funeral services at First Baptist Church of Glenarden, Friday, March 25, 2016, in Upper Marlboro, Md. Jacai Colson, a four-year veteran of the force and a undercover narcotics officer was mortally wounded by his own colleagues as he responded to an attack on his police station by a gunman with a death wish. ( AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana
A Prince George’s County, Md. police carry team carries the casket of Police Officer First Class Jacai Colson upon his arrival for funeral services at First Baptist Church of Glenarden, Friday, March 25, 2016, in Upper Marlboro, Md. Jacai Colson, a four-year veteran of the force and a undercover narcotics officer was mortally wounded by his own colleagues as he responded to an attack on his police station by a gunman with a death wish. ( AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana
( AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
( AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
( AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
( AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
( AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
( AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Police Officer First Class Jacai Colson. (Courtesy Prince George's County Police)
Police Officer First Class Jacai Colson. (Courtesy Prince George’s County Police)
Courtesy Prince George’s County Police
(1/13)
Police Officer First Class Jacai Colson. (Courtesy Prince George's County Police)

WASHINGTON — Thousands of mourners gathered to pay their respects to slain Prince George’s County Detective Jacai Colson Friday morning in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.

Bagpipes played as Colson’s family arrived at the First Baptist Church of Glenarden for his funeral. They embraced members of the county police department before entering the church to remember Colson’s bright life.

“We’re at peace. Jacai is calm,” his mother Sheila Colson said.

Officers from all over the D.C. area and several states attended the funeral, in solidarity with the Prince George’s County Police Department. Many police cruisers had black bands stretched across their markings in memory of the four-year member of the department killed by friendly fire during a gunfight on March 13.

“Jacai was always one of those people who made light of heavy situations,” said Joel Bolton, a friend of Colson’s from college.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan told those gathered that though Colson’s life was just beginning, he left a lasting mark as a leader who was always ready to lend a helping hand.

“When many run from danger and adversity, Jacai ran toward it,” Hogan said. “Where others would back down in fear, he stood on the front lines. The legacy of Detective Jacai Colson is that of a beloved son, grandson and brother and it is the enduring legacy of a proud, brave member of the thin blue line.”

Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker said Colson was an inspiration. “He’s a great young man.”

Colson, 28, was shot and killed defending other police officers during an exchange of gunfire outside of the District III station in Landover.

The suspect, 22-year-old Michael Ford, started shooting at the police station when Colson, an undercover detective in plainclothes, arrived on the scene.

Prince George’s County Police Chief Hank Stawinski says responding police officers returned fire, hitting Ford and the detective.

Colson later died from his injuries.

Ford faces more than two dozen charges including second-degree murder for his role in the shooting and death of Colson. Police say his brothers Malik and Elijah Ford helped Michael Ford plan the attack and also recorded the shootout. They were also charged in connection with Colson’s death.

Colson was a native of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, and will be buried there on Monday.

The Associated Press and WTOP’s John Aaron contributed to this report from Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Jamie Forzato contributed from Washington.

Related News

Recommended

Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up