Cause of Silver Spring Police Officer’s Death Unknown

Officials with Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, DC, helped lay to rest Oscar Pedrozo, 37, of Silver Spring, last week without knowing whether the officer’s death was related to a stabbing more than five years ago, the Washington Times reported. 

Pedrozo was stabbed in the stomach on April 20, 2007, when he tried to intervene in an incident at Solo’s Restaurant in Northwest DC while off duty, the paper reported. He died Saturday, Aug. 25, and was buried Friday, Aug. 31, as officers waited for the release of his autopsy. If his death was related to the stabbing injuries, MPD officers would investigate it as a homicide.

If his death is ruled a homicide, detectives also would have to determine if Pedrozo was stabbed in the line of duty since, according to the Times, it would make his widow and children eligible for more financial entitlements. 

Since being stabbed Pedrozo had gone back to work as a patrol officer, but had been through many medical procedures in the time since the crime, WTOP reported.  It is not known if the suspect identified in the crime was ever charged.

Pedrozo’s funeral took place at St. Camillus Church in Silver Spring.