United States Department of the Interior - United States Park Police, U.S. Government
End of Watch: Saturday, August 10, 2002
Age: 28
Tour of Duty: 2 years
Badge Number: 408
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: August 10, 2002
Weapon Used: Automobile; Alcohol involved
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 5 years
Officer Hakim Farthing was struck and killed by a drunk driver while assisting at the scene of another accident on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway at 3:30 am.
Officers were investigating an earlier fatal accident and Officer Farthing had closed the New York Avenue exit ramp from the Baltimore-Washington Parkway in Hyattsville, Maryland just north of the Washington, DC border. The drunk driver drove through cones and flares, struck Officer Farthing, killing him instantly The driver then continued another 2,000 feet before being stopped by other officers who witnessed the incident. A Maryland State Police helicopter that was already overhead landed and a paramedic immediately attended to Officer Farthing.
The 20-year-old drunk driver pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, driving under the influence, and reckless driving. She was sentenced to five years in prison.
Officer Farthing was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the United States Park Police for two years. He is survived by his young son and parents.