A Charles County School Resource Officer was found dead in his car Thursday night after it ran off the road.
Police say an autopsy revealed that the officer shot himself moments before the crash.
The Charles County Sheriff's Office posted about Corporal Patrick "P.J." Mann who was assigned to St. Charles High School in Waldorf. The Sheriff says Mann was found dead inside of a car in the area of Route 210 in Accokeek in Prince George's County.
“P.J. was a great school resource officer who was dedicated to the safety and well-being of students. He was beloved by everyone who knew him. He was invested in the success of students and was a part of the Distinguished Dozen program in which he dedicated his time to mentoring a select group of students on academics, manners, life-skills and so much more. We are in the process of gathering more details, but for now I simply ask that you keep P.J., his family, his school resource family, students and staff with Charles County Public Schools, and his brothers and sisters at the Charles County Sheriff’s Office in your thoughts and prayers,” said Sheriff Troy D. Berry.
Corporal Mann started his career with the Charles County Sheriff'f Office in 2005 and worked in patrol until 2008 when he became a SRO. He previously worked at Matthew Henson Middle School and J.C. Parks Elementary School before being assigned to St. Charles High School where he has served since it opened in 2014. He also covered Mary B. Neal Elementary School.
Sheriff Berry said Corporal Mann's dead is being investigated by the Prince George's Police Department.
