Sergeant

WASHINGTON COUNTY -- A Maryland State Police sergeant who was suspended without pay after an incident involving a former girlfriend has been reinstated, a police spokeswoman said Wednesday. Sgt. Timothy J. McKenrick, 45, has had his police powers reinstated and was back on the job, spokeswoman Elena Russo said. McKenrick's attorney, D. Benson Thompson III, said McKenrick learned Tuesday night of the reinstatement. McKenrick, a 22-year veteran of the state police, was suspended after former girlfriend Sarah E. Britton, 29, filed a private criminal complaint against him alleging he threatened her with a handgun in an Aug. 6 incident at his home northwest of Hagerstown.

MERCERSBURG, Pa. -- Days after a driving mishap and rowdy conduct, a Mercersburg police sergeant was charged with driving under the influence and other offenses Thursday. The charges follow a Saturday night incident outside a banquet in which the man drove his vehicle into two others and became unruly with investigating officers, according to Pennsylvania State Police. William E. "Bill" Sheppard Jr. declined an offer for a ride home before getting behind the wheel of a 1994 Chevrolet Blazer at about 11:45 p.m. and hitting two vehicles parked at the Mercersburg Sportsman's Club, according to the affidavit of probable cause.

pepperb@herald-mail.com Dan Seiler, a retired Maryland State Police sergeant and chief investigator for Cops Inc., a Hagerstown-based private investigations firm, filed Friday to run for Washington County sheriff in the 2006 election. A Republican, Seiler, 57, of 401 Thames St. in Hagerstown, said he wants to work more with the community, such as meeting with all of the town mayors, to ensure the residents feel they can talk to police about their concerns. "It's not being done enough," he said.

A 1982 North Hagerstown High School graduate is asking his hometown to support his military platoon based in Germany. Sgt. 1st Class Randy Sprecher, who grew up in the West End, has asked for sponsorship of the 2nd Platoon 9th Military Police Detachment through notes, cards or care packages. Small items such as prepaid AT&T phone cards, homemade cookies or treats, and online shopping gift cards always are appreciated, he said. "I have 20 soldiers assigned, and most of them are single with no family support in this country," Sprecher said in an e-mail.

A Washington County Sheriff's Department sergeant was recognized for his help with victim advocates and his compassion toward children Wednesday by the county Office of the State's Attorney's Victim Witness Unit, unit director Jill Ritter wrote Wednesday. Sgt. Dennis Mummert, who is assigned to the department's judicial division at the Washington County Courthouse, was honored as part of the unit's recognition of national Crime Victims' Rights Week this week. Ritter wrote that Mummert was recognized "for all of his assistance to the victim advocates.

marlob@herald-mail.com HAGERSTOWN - With the recent acquisition of a young bloodhound, Steve McCarty's dreams of starting a volunteer K-9 search-and-rescue team in the four-state area are closer to coming true. "Right now, I'm a team of one," said the Maryland State Police sergeant who is offering his services as a private citizen wherever needed. He is actively seeking others who want to join him in that endeavor. In addition to enjoying his work with dogs, McCarty has another reason for wanting to start a K-9 search-and-rescue team.

Ernest E. Pletcher, a retired Maryland State Police sergeant and pastor of First Church of God in Mercersburg, Pa., has filed to run for clerk of Washington County Circuit Court in the 2006 election. Pletcher, 62, who filed as a Republican, said he voted for incumbent democrat Dennis J. Weaver in the last election, but feels "it's time for a change," according to a letter he wrote to The Herald-Mail. He listed his address as 16728 Tammany Manor Road in Williamsport. An Elections Board official said Pletcher filed July 12. Weaver, who has been clerk of the Circuit Court for more than 18 years, said Tuesday that he plans to run again.

HALFWAY -- Three people were taken to Washington County Hospital with minor injuries Tuesday afternoon after a vehicle accident at the intersection of U.S. 11 and Halfway Boulevard, a Maryland State Police sergeant said. Another car drove into the victims' vehicle, causing the driver to swerve and hit a pole, the sergeant said. The injuries were not life-threatening, police said. Additional details were not available Tuesday night.

Chris Laye, son of Jonathan and Linda Laye of Smithsburg, was recently promoted to sergeant 1st class and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for completing three years as a military police drill sergeant with Bravo Company 795th Military Police Battalion, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. Laye is en route to Iraq. He is a 1988 graduate of Smithsburg High School.

Hagerstown Police Chief Dale Jones said Thursday that police officials would resolve the City Council's concerns about having an officer in the lobby of police headquarters at night. During Tuesday night's work session, Mayor Robert E. Bruchey II said he hadn't seen an officer in the lobby on several occasions at night. Councilman Lewis C. Metzner said that frustrated him since the city paid to have a bullet-proof shield placed in front of the lobby desk so the sergeant could sit there at night.

Carson Institutional Advisory OMAHA, Neb. - Scott Ford, chief executive officer and founder of Cornerstone Wealth Management Group in Hagerstown, recently was added as a member of Carson Institutional Advisory's Investment Committee. As a member of the committee, Ford will be jointly responsible for the technical analysis component of the committee as it directs the “advance and protect” investment strategy employed by Carson Wealth Management, a wealth-management firm in Omaha.

HazMat crews rushed to the Winebrenner Wastewater Treatment Plant near Fort Ritchie on Monday morning after a malfunctioning valve caused chlorine to leak from a 150-gallon tank, according to Kevin Jones, a rescue sergeant with Leitersburg Volunteer Fire Co. He said the leak posed no danger to residents in the area. Emergency personnel received a call shortly after 7:30 a.m. for a chlorine leak that caused a cloud to form inside a building on the property, but Jones said the cloud had dissipated by the time responders arrived.

The Hagerstown Community College Alumni Association will host the U.S. Air Force Concert Band and Singing Sergeants as part of its annual Red, White and Blue Summer Concert Series on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at HCC's Alumni Amphitheater. The band is the largest symphonic wind ensemble in the U.S. Air Force Band. The concert band presents more than 100 concerts annually and performs a variety of music from light classics, popular favorites and instrumental features to classical transcriptions and original works.

Kevin Simmers has seen a lot of crimes during his 25 years with the Hagerstown Police Department. But the one that sticks out the most, he said, occurred when he was serving on a prostitution detail. “One 85-year-old guy was on his way to visit his mother and picked up a female officer,” Simmers said. “That was kind of different.” Simmers, 47, retired from the department June 15 after serving in a variety of positions, most recently as the sergeant of the Downtown Squad.

Laurie Ann Grier Wasiljov of Hagerstown was presented with a membership certificate and officially inducted into Fitzhugh Lee Chapter 279 of United Daughters of the Confederacy, upon the verification of her great-great-grandfather Godfrey Funkhouser's participation in the Civil War. He was a sergeant in Co. K, 33rd Virginia Infantry. Wasiljov was inducted Aug. 27 by Chapter President Wanda Foster at the chapter meeting in Frederick, Md.

JAN. 16, 1953-MARCH 6, 2011 Richard Steven Rice, 58, of Hagerstown, Md., died on Sunday, March 6, 2011, at his home. Born Jan. 16, 1953, in Hagerstown, he was the son of Edith A. Rice of Hagerstown and the late Elmer K. Rice. He was a graduate of Smithsburg High School with the Class of '71. He served overseas during the Vietnam conflict as a sergeant in the U.S. Air Force from 1972 to 1976. He retired as a correctional officer sergeant from the Maryland Correctional Training Center in 1993.

Name: Sergeant Age: 11 months old Young Sergeant is a handsome white and seal-point male American rabbit. He came to us with his four "kids" a few weeks ago and is looking for a home to call his own.  He is adorable, soft and so friendly. Sergeant will make a wonderful indoor friend. With time and patience he may even be trained to use a litter box. Sergeant will be neutered before adoption. Come in and see Sergeant and the other rabbits we have available for adoption.

WASHINGTON COUNTY -- A Maryland State Police sergeant who was suspended without pay after an incident involving a former girlfriend has been reinstated, a police spokeswoman said Wednesday. Sgt. Timothy J. McKenrick, 45, has had his police powers reinstated and was back on the job, spokeswoman Elena Russo said. McKenrick's attorney, D. Benson Thompson III, said McKenrick learned Tuesday night of the reinstatement. McKenrick, a 22-year veteran of the state police, was suspended after former girlfriend Sarah E. Britton, 29, filed a private criminal complaint against him alleging he threatened her with a handgun in an Aug. 6 incident at his home northwest of Hagerstown.

Private criminal complaints filed against one another by a Maryland State Police sergeant and a former girlfriend have been dismissed in Washington County District Court. Sgt. Timothy J. McKenrick, 45, and Sarah E. Britton, 29, filed the complaints as the result of an Aug. 6 incident at McKenrick's home northwest of Hagerstown, according to the applications for statement of charges. Britton sought charges of first-and second-degree assault against McKenrick, who in turn sought charges of third- and fourth-degree burglary, trespassing and second-degree assault against Britton, court records show.

A Maryland State Police sergeant and a former girlfriend have filed criminal complaints against one another -- she claiming he pointed a gun at her earlier this month and he alleging she trespassed on his property. On Aug. 8, Sarah E. Britton sought charges of first- and second-degree assault against Sgt. Timothy J. McKenrick in an Aug. 6 incident, Washington County District Court records show. On Aug. 18, McKenrick filed a complaint seeking to charge Britton with third- and fourth-degree burglary, trespassing and second-degree assault, court records show.