GAZETTE STORY
A 32-year-old Anne Arundel County policeman who climbed a roof of a Glen Burnie discount department store a pursuit of a young trespasser died of a heart attack after telling fellow officers to "give the kid a break” police said.
Officer Paul J. Werner, who was assigned to Northern District since October, when he was transferred from the police detective section was pronounced dead at 2 a.m. According to police, Werner responded to a complaint of a juvenile on the roof of Gladding Chevrolet on Ritchie Highway at a.m. Werner found the alleged trespasser had left Gladding Chevrolet to walk on the Two Guys Department Store roof. Werner climbed onto the roof and (Continued on Page 12, Col. 5)
Dying officer urges leniency (Continued from Page 1)
removed the youth, who appeared to be intoxicated. Upon returning to the ground, Werner complained of chest pains, nausea and shoulder numbness. He was taken by ambulance to North Arundel Hospital, where he was treated until he died. Just prior to his death, Werner asked that the youth not be arrested. "Give him a break” police quoted Werner as saying. The youth was not charged.
Capt. Robert Russell, who was Werner's supervisor expressed shock at the death. "I got a call at 3 in the morning and someone said 'Did you hear Werner's dead?"
"I couldn't believe said Lt. Jerome J. Bozek, who was told of Werner's death later Sunday morning. Werner, nicknamed P.J., was well liked by other officers and "fit right in added Bozek, who directed Werner for seven months in the Crimes Against Persons section. In addition to armed robberies, Werner worked on several homicide investigations police said.
Funeral procession will begin at the Holy Trinity Church off Old Annapolis Road, Glen Burnie, tomorrow at 10 a.m.
Responses