Prince George's County Police Department, Maryland
End of Watch: Thursday, May 2, 1963
Age: 26
Tour of Duty: 1 year
Badge Number: 31
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: May 2, 1963
Weapon Used: Handgun; .45 caliber
Suspect Info: Committed suicide
Private Aflred Steinat was shot and killed while making a traffic stop near the intersection of Route 3 and Route 450, approximately five miles from Bowie.
Unbeknownst to Private Steinat, the subject had just left a service shop without paying for a repair bill. As Private Steinat spoke with the man in the front seat of the patrol car he was shot in the chest by the man, who was armed with a .45 caliber handgun.
Despite being mortally wounded, Private Steinat pursued the suspect a short distance and returned fire. He collapsed as he attempted to get back into his patrol car. The man later committed suicide.
Private Steinat had served with the agency for one year. He was survived by his wife and four children.