INVESTIGATION INTO SHOOTING OF WICOMICO CO. DEPUTY CONTINUING - SUSPECT IN CUSTODY AND FACING CHARGES

(CAMBRIDGE, MD) – A deputy sheriff is recovering from a gunshot wound and a suspect wanted on multiple arrest warrants is in custody and facing more charges tonight as Maryland State Police continue the investigation into the attempted murder of a police officer this morning in Dorchester County.

The suspect is identified as Tavone A. Dobson, 22, of no fixed address in Cambridge, Md. Dobson is currently being held in the Dorchester County Detention Center. In addition to the warrants that had already been issued for him, Dobson is facing charges in connection with the shooting of a deputy sheriff today who is a member of a warrant task force attempting to arrest him.

The deputy is identified as Deputy First Class Thomas Funk, 29, of the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office. He is a member of the United States Marshals Service Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force. The task force includes members of municipal, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies who work together to identify and apprehend wanted fugitives.

The warrant task force was in Cambridge this morning attempting to locate and arrest Dobson. Dobson is wanted on two warrants from the Cambridge Police Department for first and second degree assault, theft, and forgery, a parole retake warrant for second degree assault and possession of a firearm, and a violation of probation warrant and a failure to appear warrant both from Dorchester Copunty. Dobson is also wanted by Delaware State Police on warrants for burglary and violation of probation on charges of unlawful third degree sexual intercourse.

Members of the warrant task force went to a residence in the 800-block of Hubbard Street, Cambridge, at about 9:30 a.m. today after learning Dobson was at the address. Police officers on the scene were from the U.S. Marshals Service, the Cambridge Police Department, the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office, the Maryland State Police, and the Salisbury Police Department.

The preliminary investigation by the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit indicates DFC Funk was one of the task force members who entered the residence after being admitted entrance by a female inside. Other members of the task force had formed a perimeter around the exterior of the building.

The preliminary investigation indicates the suspect shot at DFC Funk while he was inside the residence. DFC Funk was wounded once in the arm. He returned fire, but did not strike the suspect. He was able to break out a window in the second floor of the home and escape onto a roof before jumping to the ground. Other officers came to his aid and assisted him to EMS care nearby before he was transported to the hospital.

The investigation indicates Dobson also moved throughout the house and shot multiple times out windows at police officers on the perimeter outside. The preliminary investigation indicates several officers outside the residence returned fire, but the suspect was not hit. Those officers were from the Cambridge Police Department, the Maryland State Police and the U.S. Marshals Service.

A U.S. Marshals Service vehicle was struck, but no officers other than DFC Funk were hit by gunfire. While shots were still being fired, backup officers from the Cambridge Police Department responded, including the Cambridge and Dorchester County SWAT teams. The Maryland State Police STATE Team also responded, but was not deployed at the scene.

Police on the scene initiated a dialog with Dobson, which continued until shortly after 1:00 p.m. when he surrendered. Prior to surrendering, Dobson threw two semi-automatic pistols out a window to the front porch. He was taken into custody without further incident.

Cambridge Police Chief Kenneth Malik requested the police involved shooting investigation be conducted by the Maryland State Police. The State Police Homicide Unit responded and is continuing the investigation with assistance from investigators from state and local police.

State Police investigators obtained a search warrant for the residence and are remain on the scene this evening. State Police crime scene technicians are processing the scene for evidence. Assistance with documenting the scene is also being provided by members of the State Police CRASH Team equipped with laser measuring equipment.