A St. Mary’s County deputy who shot and killed a man in the line of duty and was subsequently fired asked the county commissioners on Tuesday to reinstate him. Michael George of Lexington Park, a former corporal in the sheriff’s department, made the impassioned plea Tuesday at a county commissioners’ public forum at the Northern Senior Center in Charlotte Hall. His mother Rebecca Russell also pleaded her son’s case.
The following was the Bay Net’s report of the September, 2012 incident as provided by the sheriff’s department:
“On September 29, 2012 at approximately 1:56 a.m. deputies were called to the 2300 block of Sugar Maple Court in California, Maryland for a report of a disturbance. The complainant reported hearing yelling coming from the parking lot area of the condominiums.
“Corporal Michael George, a nine year veteran of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office and Corporal William Rishel, an eight year veteran of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to the complaint. Both Corporals are assigned to the Special Operations Division. They were operating marked police vehicles, were dressed in uniform and were the only two deputies on the scene. Upon arrival the Corporals were confronted by Stephen Robert Wycoff, age 39, California, Maryland. A violent struggle ensued between the deputies and the suspect. Corporal George discharged his firearm fatally wounding Wycoff.
“Corporal George and Corporal Rishel were transported to St. Mary’s Hospital where they were treated for the non-incapacitating injuries received during the confrontation. Both deputies were treated and released from the hospital. Corporal George and Corporal Rishel have been placed on routine administrative leave.”
George was exonerated of any wrongdoing as the result of the investigation and he subsequently returned to duty. But he told a hearing of the Maryland Workers Compensation Commission that he was unable to perform his duties. His claim stated that he suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
George told the commissioners that he was fired by Sheriff Tim Cameron because the maximum time allowed for sick leave (one year) had expired. “One year is not enough time for me to return to work,” George said. He said he was caught is a type of Catch 22 because he was not ready to return to work but his request for medical retirement was denied. George reportedly told the Workers Compensation Commission that he did not wish to return to law enforcement work.
The Workers Compensation Commission granted George four months of lost wages and medical costs. But St. Mary’s County appealed that decision and a judge remanded the case back to the commission for another hearing.
George’s mother, Rebecca Russell, told the commissioners of her son, “All he ever wanted to be was a cop.” She said of the situation after the shooting incident, “For the first time in my life I was not able to help my son.” She said. “He did his job and saved the lives of others.”
Russell said that ironically her son received a letter from the county’s deputy director of Human Resources congratulating him on his ten years of service.
As is typically the case at commissioners’ forums, the commissioners did not respond other than for Commissioner President Francis “Jack” Russell (D) to say they would look into the situation.
