County police were recognized last night by the College Park City Council for their diligent and quick work in making an arrest in a highly publicized attempted murder outside of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church on Christmas Eve.
Thirty officers from the Prince George’s County Police Department were honored with a series of proclamations from the city citing the appreciation of citizens due to the severity and sensitivity of this particular case. Not all were in attendance.
“We handled this case with an absolute sense of urgency,” District 1 Commander Maj. Kevin Davis said.
On Dec. 24, 69-year-old Greenbelt resident Wayne Williams was beaten in the head and face with a blunt object after dropping his wife off for Christmas Eve service at Holy Redeemer Church on Berwyn Road. Williams was left unconscious in the parking lot while the man left the scene with his wallet.
Police arrested 28-year old Shanon Washington on New Year’s Day and he was charged with attempted murder, first-degree assault and robbery.
Williams was hospitalized for several weeks before being released at the end of January.
Davis said the victim’s age and the fact he was dropping his wife off for Midnight Mass made the case an emotional one. Those factors, combined with the severity of the beating, created the perfect storm for the public to expect a quick arrest.
College Park Mayor Stephen Brayman stood with Davis and Maj. Daniel Dusseau, the head of the criminal investigations division, during the ceremony and lauded the work of the police during the Christmas season, when most people are with their families.
“You all have a tough job,” Brayman said. “We feel like we’re in good hands.”
Lead investigator Det. Mark Rimkus credited the Crime Solvers tipline with helping the police get Washington’s name. Lisa Holt, a member of the board of directors for Crime Solvers and former College Park business owner, was recognized by police for the tip organization’s role. She said the organization was proud to be involved in solving the case because of its heinous nature and proximity to her home.
But despite their good work, the police in attendance couldn’t even get a true night off. Before the presentation, a concerned Ratsie’s employee asked the council for more police presence near the popular restaurant during late nights on the weekends.
“You picked a good night to bring that up,” Brayman said jokingly while pointing to the numerous police officers in the crowd. He asked them later if they had been taking notes, which garnered some chuckles from the audience.
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