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Steven Francis Gaughan
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
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Prince George's County Police Department has lost 30 officers; 19 of them killed feloniously.
Steven is one of 195 officers killed feloniously in MD, 51.6% of the 378 remembered there.
Steven is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Steven 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 2005, 1 officer at Prince George's County Police Department was killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 16 years on record. The heaviest was 1978, with 2.
In 2005, 1 officer in MD was killed feloniously, the 56th heaviest of 104 years on record. The heaviest was 2000, with 6.
In 2005, 73 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 96th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2005, 80 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 91st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Steven was 41. Of the 19 killed feloniously at Prince George's County Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 25.5 and 37; the middle age was 31. Steven had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Steven was 41. Of the 178 killed feloniously in MD whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 43.8; the middle age was 35. Steven had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Steven was 41. 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. Steven had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Steven was 41. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Steven had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 31.6% of these deaths at Prince George's County Police Department; February holds the most, 31.6%. Tuesdays: 15.8%.
June holds 11.8% of these deaths in MD, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 15.4%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 63.3% of all 30 deaths at Prince George's County Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .40 caliber, in 5.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.6% of all 378 deaths in MD, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .40 caliber, in 0.5% 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; .40 caliber, in 0.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .40 caliber, in 0.1% of these deaths.
His people
Prince George's County Police Department has 30 officers remembered here, Steven among them.
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Edward Dennis Merson
Sep 1, 1937
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Charles F. Caldwell
Jun 12, 1948
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Alfred W. Steinat
May 2, 1963
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Joseph Kelly Brown, Sr.
Feb 19, 1966
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John William Leatherbury, Jr.
Mar 21, 1968
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Robert E. Yeszerski
Nov 30, 1968
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William W. Gullett, Jr.
Feb 16, 1969
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Carroll D. Garrison
Feb 20, 1973
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Albert Marshal Claggett, IV
Jun 26, 1978
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James Brian Swart
Jun 26, 1978
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Antonio Martinez Kelsey
Feb 2, 1980
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Raymond Hubbard
Feb 8, 1982
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Allan Dale Johnson
Dec 8, 1982
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Carlton X. Fletcher
Jun 12, 1983
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Richard J. Beavers
Nov 29, 1983
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Mark Kevin Murphy
Sep 1, 1988
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Harry Leroy Kinikin, Jr.
Jan 13, 1990
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Ryan Christopher Johnson, Sr.
Apr 22, 1992
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Roger Peck Fleming
Oct 27, 1992
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John Louis Bagileo
Feb 28, 1994
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John J. Novabilski
Apr 26, 1995
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Kilonzo Musili Masembwa
Nov 10, 2000
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Anthony Michael Walker
Nov 15, 2003
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Steven Francis Gaughan
Jun 21, 2005
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Richard Scott Findley
Jun 27, 2008
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Thomas Paul Jensen
Mar 9, 2010
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Adrian Antonio Morris
Aug 20, 2012
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Brennan Roger Rabain
Mar 7, 2015
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Jacai David Colson
Mar 13, 2016
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Mujahid Abdul Mumin Ramzziddin
Feb 21, 2018
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 27-W
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Others Who Wore This Badge
29 officers from Prince George's County Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
