Raymond L. Hawkins

Officer Raymond L. Hawkins was shot on December 23, 1971, while off-duty and attempting to foil a robbery of a 7-11 store in Prince Georges County, Maryland.

He had subdued and was frisking the the robber when an unseen accomplice shot him from behind. Officer Hawkins never regained consciousness and died as a result of that wound on February 15, 1972. He was 28 years old, was a Vietnam War Veteran, and had three years of U. S. Park Police service.

On October 26, 1973, the Force established the Raymond L. Hawkins Award for Excellence in Police Training. Permanently inscribed on the Headquarters plaque are his words. " I have always been interested in becoming a member of the public services....and contribute to the health, safety and well being of my fellow man."

From the Archives of the Washington Post®

Off-Duty Policeman Shot During Holdup

December 24, 1971

An off-duty U.S. park policeman was shot and critically wounded last night while trying to thwart a holdup at a 7-Eleven Store at 3204 Curtis Dr., Oxon Hill, Prince George's County police reported.

Policeman Has Brain Surgery

December 25, 1971

Raymond L. Hawkins who overcame serious Vietnam war wounds to pass the physical exam and join the U.S. Park Police in May, 1969, remained unconscious and in very serious condition at Cafritz Hospital yesterday after being shot in the head while attempting to thwart a $40 holdup in Silver Hill.

Policeman Who Fought Thieves Dies

Febryary 16, 1972

Raymond L. Hawkins,  the off-duty U.S. park policeman who was shot while trying to break up a $40 robbery two nights before Christmas, died yesterday at Cafritz Hospital.

3 Killing Suspects Held

March 11, 1972

Three men were arrested in Prince Georges County last night and charged in the Park Police officer, Raymond Hawkins, who was fatally wounded in December when he tried to stop a 7-Eleven store robbery.

County Charges 3 in Murder Of Policeman During Robbery

Murder Suspect Recaptured: Murder Suspect Flees, Is Recaptured 12 Hours Later