Police Officer Randolph E. Brightwell

Randolph E. Brightwell

Police Officer Randolph Brightwell was shot and killed after stopping a car for having a loud muffler on Fells Lane in Ellicott City.

Unbeknownst to Officer Brightwell, the two occupants had just committed an armed robbery of a convenience store and had murdered the clerk.

During the traffic stop, the two men attacked Officer Brightwell and shot him with his own service weapon. Both men were convicted but were released after serving only 16 years.

Officer Brightwell had served with the Howard County Police Department for six years. He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.