Maryland Transportation Authority Police, Maryland
End of Watch: Tuesday, July 20, 2004
Age: 29
Tour of Duty: 10 years
Badge Number: 0118
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: July 20, 2004
Weapon Used: Automobile; Narcotics involved
Suspect Info: Convicted
Officer Duke Aaron was killed when his unmarked patrol car was struck from behind by a pick-up truck on U.S. Route 50, near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge in Anne Arundel County.
He stopped a vehicle for a traffic infraction on westbound Route 50. After issuing the motorist a summons, Officer Aaron returned to his unmarked vehicle, which was parked on the shoulder of the highway. As he was sitting in the parked patrol car, it was struck from behind by a pick-up truck.
Officer Aaron was taken to Shock Trauma Hospital where he later died from his injuries.
The driver of the vehicle that struck Officer Aaron's patrol car, who was only slightly injured in the collision, had a suspended license at the time of the incident. The driver was charged with 12 counts as a result of the incident. On August 25th, 2005, he pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter. He was subsequently sentenced to three years in prison and five years of supervised probation. He was released on parole on May 18th, 2007. On October 21st, 2012, the subject was convicted of a probation violation and ordered to finish the remaining 2-1/2 years of his sentence.
Officer Aaron had served with the Maryland Transportation Authority Police Department for 10 years. He is survived by his wife, sister, and parents. Officer Aaron's father-in-law retired from the same agency several months prior to the incident and had served as his training officer.