PERRY HALL, Md. - The Baltimore County police chief says a female officer killed in the line of duty had the talent to rise through the ranks.
Police Chief Terrence Sheridan said at a news conference Tuesday that Officer Amy Caprio was smart, athletic and energetic. He says the 29-year-old was just the type of officer you want to hire.
Caprio, won an "Officer of the Month" award for the Parkville precinct in December. Police said at the time that her investigation led to the identification and arrest of two suspects in numerous package thefts in eastern Baltimore County and neighboring jurisdictions.
She was a wife and dog lover, the police chief said, and she always made sure to have a leash & treats on patrols just in case.
Caprio and her husband were scheduled to go on vacation this weekend to celebrate their wedding anniversary and both of their upcoming birthdays, the chief added.
Officer Caprio's death is the first female line of duty death in the Baltimore County Police Department's 144-year history.
Sheridan says a viewing for Caprio will take place Thursday followed by a funeral Friday.
The chief says a medical examiner ruled her death a homicide by trauma to the head and torso. Sheridan says she was not found to have a gunshot wound.
Sixteen-year-old Dawnta Anthony Harris of Baltimore is charged with first-degree murder in her death. Authorities say Harris drove over Caprio in a stolen jeep.
The 16-year-old told a detective he had been waiting in the driver's seat of the vehicle as his associates were committing a burglary, the police statement said.
He tried to flee in the Jeep when he saw Caprio arrive on the block, but she followed him and ordered him out of the vehicle, the statement said. Harris told the detective that he "drove at the officer," according to the statement.
Three other teenagers also were arrested in the incident.
