Police Officer of the Month

March 2003

PFC William Vogel was selected as police officer of the month for March 2003. During the month, PFC Vogel handled 105 incidents, conducted 13 follow-up investigations and had 50 traffic contacts. He worked over five hours of radar enforcement, walked 46 foot patrols, made 95 business contacts, served six criminal summonses and had four arrests.

In addition to the above activity, PFC Vogel conducted many investigations including:

Theft: The Glenwood Wine and Spirits shop called to report a theft. A hooded suspect was captured on a video surveillance system in the store. During a follow-up investigation at the store, a man walked in, without a hood. PFC Vogel recognized that he potentially could be the suspect. An interrogation followed and the suspect subsequently confessed to committing the theft.

Unauthorized Use: A 14-year old female with a physical handicap became involved in a domestic with her mother. The girl then stole the mother’s full size truck and fled. PFC Vogel was familiar with the girl and knew that the girl had done this once before, but crashed the vehicle into a fence. PFC Vogel knew that the darkness, size of the vehicle and the girl’s physical impairment could have devastating results should she crash again. PFC Vogel coordinated responding units and began notifying other police jurisdictions. PFC Vogel was able to provide enough detailed information and probable locations to search that the State Police in Mount Airy located the girl within minutes. She and the vehicle were safely returned to her mother. The girl was charged with the crime and PFC Vogel coordinated with other resource agencies to address some of the girl’s issues.

Theft Scheme: PFC Vogel responded to the Acura West car dealership for a report of a subject who bought seven vehicles with fraudulent checks. PFC Vogel tirelessly worked the case and was able to recover six of the vehicles and identify the suspect. PFC Vogel then located the operator of the seventh vehicle who initially refused to turn the vehicle over. PFC Vogel was able to negotiate the return of the vehicle. PFC Vogel then located the suspect and, after interrogation, received a full written confession.

PFC Vogel has also detected a pattern of mail thefts and identity frauds connected to the thefts occurring in the western end of the county. He is currently working with a variety of resources to attack the problem and bring notice to citizens.

The investigations cited above are just a few of the cases that PFC Vogel has closed or cleared. The quality of work PFC Vogel produces is respected by his peers and appreciated by his supervisors. He is an officer who does not just handle calls for service. He takes the initial information and is always working the case. PFC Vogel is productive, resourceful and sets an excellent example for the recruits that he regularly trains.

PFC Vogel is considered an “A go to guy” when the District is faced with a difficult or sensitive investigation. It is readily apparent however, that regardless of the seriousness of the incident, he treats them all with the same intensity and the results speak for themselves.