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Elizabeth Licera Magruder
Incident
Private First Class Elizabeth Magruder and Sergeant James Arnaud were shot and killed while attempting to serve a psychiatric petition on an individual in a home in the 9300 block of Lynmont Drive in Adelphi at 9:30 p.m.
The suspect retreated to a rear bedroom and opened fire with a handgun. Sergeant Arnaud was shot in the throat, and Private First Class (PFC) Magruder was shot in the back of the head. The suspect fled the scene following the shootings but was arrested two days later after undercover officers spotted him coming from an apartment building approximately two miles from the scene of the shooting. The handgun used in the murders was recovered from the suspect as well.
The suspect was found guilty of two counts of second-degree murder and using a handgun in the commission of a felony in November 2003. In September 2005, the convictions were overturned on appeal, and the suspect was ordered to face a new trial. He was again convicted during the second trial and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. In December of 2023, he was released from prison.
The murders of Sergeant Arnaud and PFC Magruder were the first line-of-duty deaths for the department in its 306-year history.
PFC Magruder had served with the Prince George's County Sheriff's Department for 18 months.
Survivors
She is survived by her husband and 3-year-old son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Private First Class Magruder gave the Prince George's County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Largo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Private First Class Magruder.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Prince George's County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Elizabeth is one of 195 officers killed feloniously in MD, 51.6% of the 378 remembered there.
Elizabeth is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Elizabeth is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2002, 4 officers in MD were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 104 years on record. The heaviest was 2000, with 6.
In 2002, 73 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 96th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2002, 77 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 95th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Elizabeth was 30. Of the 178 killed feloniously in MD whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 43.8; the middle age was 35. Elizabeth had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Elizabeth was 30. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Elizabeth had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Elizabeth was 30. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Elizabeth had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 8.2% of these deaths in MD; June holds the most, 11.8%. Thursdays: 15.4%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Prince George's County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.6% of all 378 deaths in MD, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 26.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Her people
Prince George's County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Elizabeth among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 23-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Prince George's County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
