Holly MatkinMontgomery County, MD – Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) Officer Douglas “Doug” Haggerty died on Feb. 4 after suffering a medical emergency that caused him to crash his vehicle.
The off-duty, 36-year-old officer was taking his nine-year-old daughter to school when the incident occurred, according to Bethesda Magazine.
Officer Haggerty was traveling eastbound on Spencerville Road near Good Hope Road shortly after 8 a.m. when he “began to experience an incapacitating medical event,” the MCPD said in a press release later that day.
He subsequently crashed his vehicle.
Officer Haggerty’s daughter immediately called 911 after the car came to a stop, Bethesda Magazine reported.
“Preliminary investigation has determined that Officer Haggerty suffered a medical crisis, leading to the collision,” the MCPD said in the press release. “Police and Fire Rescue performed life-saving measures at the scene and Officer Haggerty was transported to an area hospital where he was subsequently pronounced deceased.”
Investigators said they do not believe the injuries Officer Haggerty suffered in the crash caused his death, MCPD Chief Marcus Jones told Bethesda Magazine.
Officer Haggerty’s daughter was transported to the hospital with minor injuries and has since been released, Chief Jones said.
Officer Haggerty joined the MCPD in July of 2010 and was initially assigned to the Silver Spring District, according to the department.
He was serving the Rockville District at the time of his death.
Chief Jones said Officer Haggerty had an “innate ability to make victims feel comfortable and at ease” and that he will be remembered as a “great friend, a dedicated officer and a fabulous servant to this community,” Bethesda Magazine reported.
“He was a well-known officer throughout the district, and he was known to mentor younger officers on his shift, always ensuring they were safe,” the chief added. “He was a team player and took great pride…in the safety of his fellow officers.”
Officer Haggerty was laid to rest on Feb. 10, according to his obituary.
Montgomery County Police are mourning the loss of one of their own, Officer Douglas Haggerty. This morning while driving his 9-year-old daughter to school he suffered a “medical crisis” and crashed his car. Only 36-years-old & served since July of 2010. @WDVMTV pic.twitter.com/CLQJDI9Sbl
— Cheyenne Corin ✨ (@CheyenneCorin) February 5, 2022
NEW: Montgomery County Police officer Douglas Haggerty, 36, suffered a medical emergency while driving his child this morning.
Haggerty lost control of his vehicle, causing it to roll over along Spencerville Road, near Good Hope Road.
MCPD just confirmed that Haggerty has died. pic.twitter.com/poHq39qnmq
— Kevin Lewis (@KevinLewis7News) February 4, 2022
Montgomery County Police Mourn the Loss of Officer Douglas Haggertyhttps://t.co/5hNbDq9jJn#MCPD #MCPNews #Endofwatch #EOW pic.twitter.com/2hF7dqtC3V
— Montgomery County Department of Police (@mcpnews) February 4, 2022
The Rockville City Police Department extends our thoughts, prayers and condolences to the family, friends and coworkers of @mcpnews Officer Douglas Haggerty who passed away this morning. pic.twitter.com/7hFpxSkv3X
— Rockville City Police Department (@RockvilleCityPD) February 4, 2022
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Montgomery County Police Department Officer Douglas “Doug” Haggerty, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
Sandy Malone
