Redden Road incident-

 

Worcester County Sheriff's Office

Redden Road Incident 

On April 24 2024 prior to midnight shots were fired into a occupied building in the 3500 block of Redden Rd, Pocomoke, Md.  Worcester County Bureau of Investigation, WCSO and OCPD Forensic Unit are at the location.  No additional information is available at this time.

(Check for updates:)

https://www.facebook.com/WorcesterSheriff/

Welcoming Luna to the team!

                               

The Worcester County Sheriff's Office is excited to announce the newest addition to its law enforcement team: an electronic detection canine named Luna.

(Read more about Luna and her duties:)

https://www.facebook.com/WorcesterSheriff/

FBI National Academy graduate-

 

FBI Director Christopher Wray presents diploma to Lieutenant Bethany Ramey of the Worcester County Sheriff's Office at her recent graduation from the FBI National Academy.  Ramey has been with the Sheriff's Office since 2001 and currently is its Commander of Juvenile Services Division. 

(View more:)

https://www.facebook.com/WorcesterSheriff/

Congratulations Lt. Edgar!

 

Congratulations to Lieutenant Katie Edgar of the Worcester County Sheriff's Office on her recent graduation from the School of Police Staff and Command at Northwestern University Center for Public Safety.  Lieutenant Edgar joined the Sheriff's Office in 2003 and is Commander of the Field Services Division and one of the Office's Trained Hostage Negotiators. 

(View the full Press Release:)

https://www.facebook.com/WorcesterSheriff/

Charges in Jan 16 school incident at Snow Hill-

 

(WBOC)

(View news story:)

Six Adults, Six Juveniles Charged in Snow Hill High School Basketball Game Brawl | Latest News | wboc.com

K9 Brina passes.

The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office regretfully announces the passing of retired K9 Brina. 

K9 Brina was born in Slovakia on December 6, 2014. Her name was originally “Kina,” however, was changed to avoid confusion with two other Sheriff’s Office K9’s at the time, “Kenna” and “Karma.” She was renamed “Brina” which has Slovic roots and means “Defender.”

K9 Brina began her service with the Sheriff’s Office in February of 2017. K9 Brina was a dual-purpose patrol canine and trained in narcotics detection, tracking, building searches, suspect apprehension and handler protection. K9 Brina was medically retired in March of 2019 due to back and hip issues that prevented her from doing her job without pain. During her brief time in service, K9 Brina apprehended a fleeing suspect in Somerset County after tracking the suspect through the woods and assisted with numerous drug seizures and arrests. 

Lt. Katie Edgar served as K9 Brina’s friend and handler. K9 Brina lived a comfortable retired life on Lt. Edgar’s 5-acre farm until her passing on March 27, 2024.

Important local presentations for students and their parents

 

What is Sextortion? Human Trafficking? Grooming?

Sextortion is a form of blackmail aimed at obtaining sexual content from a child, coercing them into sexual activities, and/or extorting money from them. If you aren’t familiar with the terms, a group of six students from Worcester Technical High School are conducting informative presentations on sextortion, human trafficking, and the grooming process victims often experience. Their goal is to educate students, parents, and other members of our Worcester County community to help them avoid falling victim to these rapidly growing crimes. The presentations cover the risks associated with being connected to the internet through electronic devices, emphasizing that anyone with such a device can be a potential victim, with school-aged children being particularly vulnerable.

Sheriff Matthew Crisafulli expresses pride in these students for their collaboration with the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, the CRICKET Center, Life Crisis Center, and Worcester County Public Schools. Together, these students are working to raise awareness about these issues and to provide guidance on reaching out for help in case you or someone you know becomes a victim. If you would like to know more about these presentations, please contact the CRICKET Center: 410-641-0097.

Worcester Sheriff's Office app is available.

 

Download the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office app today. Why? It’s a great way to receive News & Alerts, submit a general tip or a Safe Schools Tip, or register for a Residence Check. It is easy to quickly look up Sex Offenders in your area and view our “Most Wanted”. You can Meet the Sheriff and view our contact information.

This app serves as an innovative way for the Sheriff’s Office to connect with Worcester County residents and visitors, providing information quickly and efficiently to anyone with a smartphone. It is a great way to connect with those who don’t have Facebook or other social media outlets.

The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office app now is available for a free download in the App Store and Google Play by searching “Worcester County Sheriff, MD” or by clicking here: https://apps.myocv.com/share/a87521863  Tell your friends and family today!

Congratulations Deputy Shayne

   

    (11/15/23 Worcester County Sheriff's Office Facebook)

Worcester County Sheriff's Office-

(Maryland Coast Dispatch)

Worcester Co. Sheriff’s Office To Implement Radio Encryption; Public Shares Concerns

SNOW HILL – The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office will soon be moving to encrypted radio communications.

(View news story:)

10/23/2023 | Worcester Co. Sheriff’s Office To Implement Radio Encryption; Public Shares Concerns | News Ocean City MD (mdcoastdispatch.com)

Sheriff's K-9 missing

UPDATE:  The sheriff's department says K-9 Argo has now been located.

(WMDT)

WORCESTER CO., Md. – The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office is currently searching for a missing police K-9.

At around 6 a.m. Monday, a Worcester County Sheriff’s K-9 handler was allowing his K-9, Argo, to take a break in the area of the State Highway Administration in Berlin, located at the northeast corner of Route 50 and Route 113. During the break, Argo’s attention was reportedly drawn to a deer and he began chasing the deer.

There will be an increased presence of law enforcement and personnel in the area.

Argo is described as a 4-year-old black and tan German Sheppard, wearing a leather and prong collar. If you see Argo, you are asked to not approach him and contact the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office immediately at 410-632-1111. If you live in this area, you are asked to secure your outdoor pets inside until Argo is found.

Armored Vehicle for Worcester Sheriff's Office

 

The Worcester County Commissioners on Wednesday voted 4-3 to spend $321,833 on an armored rescue vehicle for the sheriff’s office.

(View news story:)

07/06/2023 | Armored Vehicle Purchase Approved | News Ocean City MD (mdcoastdispatch.com)

Worcester County's Sheriff among featured First Responders in new book

 (WMDT)

Called to Serve: The Inspiring, Untold Stories of America’s First Responders gives readers a personal, inside look into police officers, firefighters, and EMS professionals, both on and off the job.

View news story:

Worcester County Sheriff Crisafulli shares his inspiring story in a new book - 47abc (wmdt.com)

Worcester County Sheriff’s Office

Worcester County Sheriff's Office

CRIMINAL ENFORCEMENT TEAM Honored

On May third 2012 Members of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Enforcement Team were honored by the Department of Justice United States Attorney’s Office of the eastern district of Virginia. The U. S. Attorney Neil H. MacBride presided over the ceremonies honoring several Law Enforcement

Officers from Eastern Virginia for the outstanding work they had done solving major crimes in the area.



Pictured in the back row are U.S. Attorney Neil H. MacBride Deputies Wells, Trader, and Sgt. Passwaters. In front of Sgt. Passwaters is Cpl. Ramey



Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Deputies, Sgt. Passwaters, Cpl. Ramey, Deputy First Class Trader, and Deputy First Class Wells, were among the Officers honored for the investigation, arrest, and conviction of several subjects that were distributing drugs in the Maryland and Virginia area.

Operation “Bakers Dozen”, as it was called, initially identified 13 people that were involved together in selling drugs on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. The investigation revealed that the drug activity reached into Worcester County Maryland.

Virginia State Police investigators called on the Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team to assist them in the investigation and apprehension of subject selling large quantities of drugs in the Maryland Virginia area. The investigation led to more than the original 13 people that were involved in the drug trade.

The major target of the investigation was arrested and charged federally for distribution of controlled dangerous substances. That subject was sentenced to close to 20 years in federal prison for his actions. 

-Congratulations.  Working together does make a difference.-jmmb   

"County Watch For Safer Communities " To Be Launched By Wo. Co. Sheriff's Department

SNOW HILL -- The Worcester County Sheriff’s Department and county employees are teaming up to keep a closer eye out for criminal activity and missing persons.

County Watch for Safer Communities (CWSC) is a collaborative effort between the Worcester County Sheriff’s Department, Board of Education, Public Works and State’s Attorney’s Office three years in the making. Beginning under former Sheriff Charles Martin and continued by current Sheriff Reggie Mason, CWSC is meant to be an umbrella program linking all departments involved together.

“It’s going to mean so much to law enforcement,” said Mason.

Under CWSC, county employees who often cruise the roads are asked to “observe and report” suspicious activity to their dispatchers, who will then contact the police. Mason explained that it will serve as an additional network of contacts beyond what officers in the field are capable of tracking. Between Public Works vehicles and school transportation units, the sheriff’s office estimates that the county might have 200 vehicles on the road on any given day.

“It’s more eyes out there,” Mason said. “It’s going to be a great safety feature for the county.”

The main focus of CWSC will be to quickly spread word throughout the county for missing people alerts. Amber alerts, which are issued for missing children, and Silver alerts, which are issued for missing, vulnerable adults, are the two most common. All information relating to the alerts, including descriptions of the missing person, information on any possible suspects and vehicles, will be broadcast to county employees. Those employees are then asked to keep an eye out, and to contact their dispatcher if they spot anything of notice.

However, Mason stressed that observation is all an employee should attempt to do if criminal activity is witnessed.

“They’re not to take action,” he said, “just to call.”

When Martin conceived the idea for what amounts to a professional, extended neighborhood watch for Worcester, the concept was well received, but ran into technical issues, according to Mason.

“It was something that never got completed,” he said.

However, Mason was unwilling to let the program drop, and together with partners throughout the county, took up where the past administration had left off.

“For the last eight months, I’ve pushed forward with it,” he said. “We’ve worked the issues out.”

Before joining CWSC, employees will be trained in recording broadcasts and reminded that they are neither required nor encouraged to place themselves “in harms’ way”.
Source; http://www.mdcoastdispatch.com/articles/2011/09/09/Top-Stories/Worcester-To-Launch-New-Watch-Program

Worcester County New Deputies Graduate Top Of The Class

Congratulations freshman deputies and the best of luck in the future.


Written By: Staff Writer, Travis Brown
SNOW HILL -- The latest batch of Worcester County Sheriff’s deputies wrapped up their time at the Eastern Shore Criminal Justice Academy (ESCJA) by taking all of the school’s top honors and graduating at the top of their class.

“We took every award,” said Sheriff Reggie Mason.

Freshmen deputies Shane Musgrave, Christopher Barrs and Mark Powell graduated from the Wor-Wic Community College-based academy on June 17. They graduated with the top three placements and between themselves, won the highest awards in their class for academics, physical fitness and firearms. The hat trick of awards is a first for outgoing Worcester Sheriff’s cadets and also marks the largest class of group to ever graduate at once.

“This is the first time we’ve ever put three in the academy,” said Mason.

Mason explained that watching all three of his deputies distinguish themselves to such a degree was “a shock.”

“You never expect that,” he said, stressing how impressive finishing in the top three spots amongst a class of almost a dozen highly qualified cadets was.

The commissioners, who got a chance to meet the deputies briefly Tuesday, were equally impressed.

“We couldn’t be prouder of you,” said Commission President Bud Church.

After graduation, the deputies went through a 60-day supervision period. However, as of Tuesday, the three will be running solo shifts as full-members of the sheriff’s office.

“Today, they’ll be on their own,” said Mason.

Following the success of the trio, Mason plans on utilizing the academy to train more deputies. While a standard practice among law enforcement agencies is to shuffle trained officers back and forth, Mason noted the importance of expanding the field of officers by graduating cadets from academies like the one offered at Wor-Wic.

“For many years, we’ve been involved in later transfers,” said Mason, referring to the practice of a veteran officer leaving one department for another.

Mason admitted that it saves money, since the officers are already trained. However, he revealed that it “hurts smaller departments” that might not be able to afford to entice new officers to join, or current officers to remain. On top of that, Mason explained that he wants to give young adults interested in law enforcement an opening to prove themselves.

“I want to give these kids a chance in the county,” he remarked. “I will give them that opportunity.”

Mason made sure to credit John Moses, associate director of the ESCJA, and the rest of the staff at the academy.

“Wor-Wic has been outstanding,” said Mason. “It’s a great working relationship.”

He pointed out that ESCJA is the only such academy on the Eastern Shore and without it cadets would need to be sent well out of the county to receive instruction, an inconvenient and expensive alternative.

The sheriff’s office has already enrolled another cadet into the program, said Mason. That deputy should graduate in December.
Source;  http://www.mdcoastdispatch.com/articles/2011/09/09/Top-Stories/County-Gets-Three-New-Deputies#.Tmn6x5zNjvQ.email

Viagra Spat Between Newlyweds Leads To Shooting

Written by: Shawn J. Soper

BISHOPVILLE -- A Bishopville woman was arrested on attempted second-degree murder and other charges this week after allegedly shooting her newlywed husband in the abdomen during a domestic argument reportedly involving a popular male enhancement drug.

Around 10:30 a.m. on Monday, the Worcester County 911 Dispatch Center received a call from a man reporting his wife of six months, identified as Alice Carmita Johnson, 72, had just shot him in the abdomen during a domestic argument in their Bishopville home on Hotel Rd. Upon arrival, Worcester County Sheriff’s Deputies met with the victim, Robert Lee Leonard, 64, who handed the officers a .22 caliber pistol with which he had allegedly been shot. According to police reports, the weapon appeared to have been freshly fired.

Leonard told police he and Johnson had gotten into an argument that had escalated. According to police reports, the couple had been arguing about Viagra, although the tenor or context of the argument was not included.

A short time later, Johnson allegedly produced the small caliber pistol, aimed it at Leonard’s abdomen and fired a round, which entered his body. Leonard told police he was able to grab the gun from his wife’s hands, which prevented any further injuries. Leonard was then taken by ambulance to PRMC in Salisbury for treatment of injuries not believed to be life threatening.

According to police reports, Worcester County Sheriff’s deputies attempted to speak with Johnson about the incident, but she evoked her Miranda Rights and said she would not make a statement without first consulting her attorney. Because of the serious nature of the incident, the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation (WCBI) was called into to continue probing the incident.

Johnson was arrested and charged with attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault and reckless endangerment. She was taken before a District Court Commissioner and ordered held on a $150,000 bond. She was released later on Monday after posting bond.

Source; http://www.mdcoastdispatch.com/articles/2011/05/13/Top-Stories/Viagra-Spat-Leads-To-Shooting