Roll of Honor
Incident
Corporal Steven Gaughan was shot and killed at approximately 11:00 am when he and two officers stopped a suspicious vehicle near the intersection of Route 197 and South Laurel Drive in Laurel, Maryland.
The three occupants exited the vehicle and fled to a nearby apartment building. Corporal Gaughan chased one of the suspects behind the building where the two exchanged shots and Corporal Gaughan was struck once. He was flown to Prince George's Hospital Center where he succumbed to the wound several hours later.
The suspect was also wounded in the exchange of gunfire and taken into custody. The other two occupants of the vehicle fled into a nearby apartment where they were apprehended after a short standoff. The suspect who shot Corporal Gaughan was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Corporal Gaughan had served with the Prince George's County Police Department for 15 years, and was assigned to the Special Assignment Team in District VI. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of sergeant.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MD-8940CD73- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Gaughan gave the Prince George's County Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Palmer Park community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Gaughan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant Steven Francis Gaughan is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In MD, 195 of 377 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 51.7% of this state's fallen. That is 2.5 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Prince George's County Police Dept., 19 of 30 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Steven Francis Gaughan's cause is highlighted.
How Steven Francis Gaughan Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Steven Francis Gaughan is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Steven Francis Gaughan was killed by handgun; .40 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
29 officers from Prince George's County Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
