Fellow officers of Cpl. Scott Wheeler expressed disappointment in a grand jury?s decision not to issue a manslaughter indictment against the speeding driver who struck and killed the officer on Route 32 last June.
“We had an officer out there doing what we ask them to do every day,” said Howard Police Chief William McMahon, who hosted a somber meeting Thursday at police headquarters to discuss the case.
“To lose somebody liked that ? doing what they?re supposed to be doing ? it?s very difficult,” McMahon said.
McMahon said police had to prove that Stephanie Grissom, 25, of High Tor Hill in Columbia, acted with gross negligence when she struck Wheeler, 31, while he flagged her over for speeding in June 2007 on Route 32 near Route 1 in Howard County.
“We felt that we had met that burden of proof and established a case of gross negligence, but the grand jury disagreed,” he said.
The grand jury?s decision prompted police to issue Grissom traffic citations for negligent driving and speeding, totaling about $400 in fines. If Grissom pays the fines, “it will be the end of the case for her,” McMahon said.
“There?s nothing we can do about it except be disappointed and continue to move on and honor Scott the best we can from this point on,” said Daniel Besseck, who is president of the Howard County Police Officers? Association.
Grissom was driving about 16 mph over the speed limit when she struck Wheeler. Other drivers, including those behind Grissom, saw the officers and were able to avoid them, McMahon said.
Wheeler?s family did not attend the meeting and released a statement asking “for privacy during this difficult time.”
“We are disappointed that the grand jury chose not to indict the driver who struck Scott on manslaughter charges,” said Wheeler?s wife, Tracy Wheeler, in a statement.
“While we knew this was possible, it is difficult to accept.”
Following Wheeler?s death, a committee of officers amended the policy for the “step-out” technique. The technique, which involves a team of officers who step into the roadway to flag down speeding drivers, is now prohibited on roadways with a speed limit greater than 35 mph, said Sherry Llewellyn, police spokeswoman.
Grissom could not be reached for comment.
