Trooper First Class Edward M. Toatley
Maryland State Police
Maryland
End of Watch: Monday, October 30, 2000

Biographical Info
Age: 37
Tour of Duty: 16 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Monday, October 30, 2000
Incident Location: District of Columbia
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life without parole

Trooper Toatley was shot and killed while conducting an undercover narcotics investigation in Washington, DC. He had been deputized as a federal agent, in order to take part in a regional narcotics task force conducted in Maryland and Washington, DC.

As Trooper Toatley attempted to purchase narcotics from the suspect, he was shot in the head at close range while sitting in a car. After the shooting, the suspect fled on foot. Trooper Toatley was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries approximately two hours later.
The suspect was later arrested in New York and extradited to Washington, DC, where he entered a guilty plea and was sentenced to life without possibility of parole.
Trooper Toatley was president of the Coalition of Black Maryland State Troopers, and had been with the Maryland State Police for 16 years. He is survived by his wife, two sons, ages 5 and 18 years, and an 18-month-old daughter.