Police Officer of the Month

July 2003

Pfc. Zirk has been selected as the Howard County Police Officer for the month of July. He is currently assigned as a night shift officer in the Baker area. In addition to his patrol assignment, Pfc. Zirk is a member of the De-Centralized Tactical Unit and successfully completed the Howard County Police Department’s S.W.A.T. School in 2000. Chad’s tactical experience has proven invaluable to his squad in assisting with various calls for service.

In one July case, Pfc. Zirk was dispatched to a domestic assault incident. A woman advised that she had been assaulted by her boyfriend, who had a knife. She had a small cut on her arm, but did not require medical treatment. The boyfriend was not present to be interviewed. A short time later, Pfc. Zirk was advised that the boyfriend was at Howard County General Hospital seeking treatment for injuries. Upon arrival, Pfc. Zirk discovered that the boyfriend had been stabbed three times and required 10 stitches. The boyfriend said that his girlfriend stabbed him because she was angry he had woken her up. As a result of his investigation, Pfc. Zirk re-contacted the girlfriend, arrested her and charged her with the assault.

Pfc. Zirk also was instrumental in the arrest of a robbery suspect. He responded to a call for a robbery between known subjects. After interviewing the victim, Pfc. Zirk located the suspect and arrested him. The suspect provided detailed information to Pfc. Zirk about a residence where illegal activities were occurring. As a result, Detective Todd Leppert of CIB obtained a search and seizure warrant and arrested two wanted subjects.

In another case, Pfc. Zirk was dispatched to a call for disorderly juveniles drinking alcohol. Upon arrival, Pfc. Zirk located two juveniles. He checked the area immediately and discovered four individually wrapped bags of marijuana. Pfc. Zirk placed the two juveniles under arrest. At Northern District, the one subject admitted to Pfc. Zirk that his fingerprints may be found on the bags of marijuana. He admitted to discarding the bags on the ground.

Pfc. Zirk made additional CDS arrests after stopping drivers for moving violations. In one case, Pfc. Zirk observed a vehicle straddling the lane markings on Rt. 100. He approached the driver and detected the strong odor of marijuana. A search revealed a bag containing suspected marijuana in the front passenger’s purse and what appeared to be marijuana stems and seeds on the driver’s seat and in a coffee cup. Pfc. Zirk placed both occupants of the vehicle under arrest. In a similar case, Pfc. Zirk observed a vehicle speeding on Rt. 29. He stopped the car and discovered that the driver was intoxicated. A search of the vehicle incident to arrest revealed a glass smoking device with burnt marijuana and a bag containing suspected marijuana residue under the front passenger’s seat. In the trunk of the vehicle were 18 packs of beer. Both the driver and front passenger were placed under arrest.

In addition to these cases, Pfc. Zirk made an arrest for the unauthorized use of a vehicle and two arrests of drivers with suspended licenses. He also stopped, identified and arrested a subject he observed behind a business area on Route 1 who had an outstanding Howard County warrant for robbery.

As a member of the De-Centralized Tactical Unit, Pfc. Zirk is called upon frequently to assist the Tactical Unit. In July he performed tactical duties or training on 10 occasions, including warrant service, a barricade and the apprehension of a homicide suspect.

According to his supervisors, Pfc. Zirk has become a strong presence in the Long Reach area and on squad P1B. His aggressive enforcement efforts have made him an excellent role model and a true asset to the Howard County Police Department.