The Baltimore Police Department said that Officer Gregory Parker was on patrol last Wednesday, assisting other officers with a drug investigation. He allegedly saw a Dodge Challenger that looked suspicious. In assisting with the drug investigation, Parker said he learned the vehicle had been reported stolen earlier in the day.
When Parker saw the Dodge Challenger driving in the O’Donnell Heights community, officers said he immediately contacted the Baltimore Police Aviation Unit. The Aviation Unit followed the stolen car as officers coordinated activity on the ground.
Dominique Edward, 26, allegedly was driving the stolen car when it crashed into several vehicles in South Baltimore. Edward jumped from the crashed car and ran as Parker chased him on foot, taking him down a short distance away from the crash scene. Edward was taken to the Central Booking and Intake Facility, where he was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, theft, and several traffic violations.
On Thursday, Parker was recognized for his heroic actions by members of the Baltimore Police Command Staff, which posted various clips of the chase. Nearly four dozen citizens praised Parker on the police website for his heroics.
“There’s not really much you can remember that’s going through your mind at the time,” Parker responded when asked what he was thinking as he sprinted towards the alleged car thief, “but mainly it’s just: ‘Get him. You know that he committed a crime, he has to be apprehended, get him.’ And that’s what I did,” said Parker.
–G. Synade Beason