Charles Co. Sheriff's Deputy Found Dead In Car After Apparent Suicide

A Charles County sheriff's deputy was found dead in his personal vehicle on Thursday night, the sheriff's office said.

Cpl. Patrick "P.J." Mann, a school resource officer assigned to St. Charles High School in Waldorf, was found dead in his car after it apparently ran off the road in the area of Route 210 in Accokeek. Prince George's County police, who responded and investigated Mann's death, said Friday he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound just before the crash.

“P.J. was a great school resource officer who was dedicated to the safety and well-being of students," Charles County Sheriff Troy D. Berry said in a statement. "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."

Nobody else was injured in the crash, but a Prince George's County officer was struck while inside his patrol car holding a perimeter at the scene. He was flown to an area hospital, where he remains in serious but stable condition. The driver of the striking vehicle was also hospitalized. Charges against that driver are pending.

Mann joined the Charles County Sheriff's Office in 2005. He began in patrol, then became a school resource officer in 2008, first at Matthew Henson Middle School and J.C. Parks Elementary School before he was assigned to St. Charles High upon its opening in 2014. He also covered Mary B. Neal Elementary School.