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Road rage incident, alleged assault leads to Prince George’s Co. police officer suspension

By Glynis Kazanjian

A Prince George’s County, Maryland, police officer has been suspended without pay after being arrested by another police agency for allegedly pulling a gun on a female driver in what appears to be a case of road rage.

Cpl. James Thornley was arrested by the Annapolis City Police Department on Wednesday and faces several charges, including assault and the use of a firearm.

Thornley was driving home after a shift on the morning of Aug. 26 when he allegedly pointed his duty weapon at another driver in Annapolis, according to Prince George’s County police. Thornley was off duty at the time, driving his personal vehicle, but wearing his police uniform.

The confrontation began on Rt. 50 in Maryland near the Riva Road exit, where the woman said she was cut off by Thornley, according to police charging documents provided by WTOP news partner NBC Washington.

The confrontation continued at the intersection of Chinquapin Road and Forest Drive, in Annapolis, when the woman got out of her car and asked Thornley, “Why are you trying to kill me?”

Thornley then allegedly pointed his firearm at the woman and replied: “Get your fat a– back in the car or I’m going to f—— shoot you.”

The woman said she was approximately 10 to 15 feet away from Thornley’s car when she saw the firearm. She said it was at the level of the steering wheel when it was pointed at her and that she was “pissed and scared” at that point.

Investigators went to Thornley’s home, and during an interview, he admitted to pointing his gun at the woman. But he told investigators that he told the woman to “Get the EXPLITIVE away from my vehicle” when the woman began yelling at him and approaching his car.

Thornely also said the woman had been driving aggressively on Rt. 50.

No one was injured during the incident, police said.

Thornley faces first- and second-degree assault, firearm and reckless endangerment charges.

The Prince George’s police internal affairs division has opened an investigation. They are asking anyone with questions about the incident to contact the Annapolis City Police Department.

It is unclear why Thornley was arrested almost a month after the incident. Annapolis Police did not immediately respond to a comment request from WTOP.

Thornley joined the department in 2003 and is assigned to the Bureau of Patrol.

Why Jaret Patterson’s emergence has been a source of optimism for Washington

By Bijan Todd
Why Patterson’s emergence is a source of optimism for WFT originally appeared on NBC Sports WashingtonThere wasn't much good that came out of the Washington Football Team’s 20-16 loss to the Eagles on Sunday. There hasn’t been much good to come out of anything regarding the Burgundy & Gold since Week 13.But amid all the struggles Ron Rivera's group has gone through, running back Jaret Patterson has emerged as a source of optimism in the running game. Since Antonio Gibson landed on the reserve/COVID-19 list earlier this week, the rookie out of Buffalo was thrust into a starting role vs. Philadelphia. He took the opportunity and ran with it, literally.“To me it means a lot. I am grateful to be here,” Patterson said after the game. “Growing up around the area and watching this team, I believe in this organization with my whole heart. I feel like this can be a successful organization. It’s been a lot, but that is just our reality. We just have to focus in and lean on our teammates and our Washington family.”Patterson was born in Glenn Dale, Maryland and went to St. Vincent Pallotti high school in Laurel. After wowing at the University of Buffalo, he went undrafted. Sunday was his first-ever time starting as an RB1 in the NFL.“It's special. It just helps my mentality,” he said. “I want to be an inspiration to a guy that goes undrafted, you can do it. It is a lot being a hometown kid and I just believe in this organization, the coaching staff, and I believe we are going in the right direction.”Patterson finished the game with 57 rushing yards off 12 carries and a touchdown. His first-quarter score was the second of his career, and the first at his hometown stadium of FedEx Field. Though it was a big moment for Patterson, it wasn’t big enough to overshadow a loss in a very winnable game.“It was cool, but I am a guy that cares about winning," Patterson said. "I am a competitor and I love winning. I could care less about the stats. I just want to get in that win column.”Head coach Ron Rivera also took note of the rookie’s impressive debut as a starter. “I think Jaret is one of those young guys that the more experience he gets, the more opportunities he gets, the better he is going to be,” Rivera said. “He’s a young dynamic player that definitely could fit a role for you. He gives you everything you got, and I thought he did a nice job. I really did.”With one game remaining in the 2021 season for Washington, a loss to the Eagles in Week 17 officially eliminated the squad from playoff contention. Patterson’s emergence as a solid backfield piece has certainly been a bright spot from an overall underwhelming year.Heading into the offseason after next weekend, WFT could look in a number of different directions for improvements. But Patterson lining the depth chart behind Gibson should be a reason for relief for Washington’s coaching staff.At just 5-foot-8, Patterson likely doesn’t strike fear into the hearts of defensive lines the same way the Derrick Henrys of the world do. But size is just a number, as WFT quarterback Taylor Heinicke said of Patterson.“He performed great. Again, he's making huge strides all year,” Heinicke said. “When you see him do the things that he's doing, it's really cool especially because a lot of guys are just writing him off because he's so small. But you see how tough he is and he's a good football player. So hopefully he just keeps progressing.”
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