By Joanna Putman
Police1
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. — A Maryland man is being charged with murder and held without bond after intentionally hitting a Montgomery County officer who has since had to have his legs amputated, according to reports by NBC News 4 and Montgomery Community Media.
Frederick Raphael Mayorga, 19, is accused of hitting Sgt. Patrick Kepp at about 4 a.m. Wednesday on I-270 while driving under the influence. Kepp was attempting to deploy spike strips when Mayorga drove directly into him.
Mayorga faces charges of first-degree attempted murder, according to the Montgomery Community Media report.
Mayorga baited police into high-speed pursuits along I-270 on four separate occasions just this year, Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy said following the bond hearing Thursday.
Kepp had encountered Mayorga multiple times and had filed an arrest warrant for him in May, according to NBC News 4. The judge overseeing the bond hearing called him a “danger to the community.”
“They knew who he was, he knew who they were and he dared them to try to catch him,” McCarthy said. “Our prayers go out to this officer and his family, because he has profound, serious injuries that will disable him for the rest of his life as a result of this.”
McCarthy confirmed that Kepp will not be able to return to the department as an active-duty police officer, according to the Montgomery Community Media Report.
“It’s a huge loss for the department,” he said.
“Pat is the consummate optimist. He always seeks out the best in people and in situations,” Cmdr. Brian Dillman, one of Kepp’s colleagues, told NBC News 4. “I had a texting conversation with him yesterday and he said this has been a very difficult day in [his] life; but, one day at a time, things will get better.”