The April death of a Montgomery County police officer who was wounded in a 2003 shooting has been ruled a homicide.
Officer Kyle Olinger died at age 53 on April 18 as a result of injuries sustained in a shooting during a traffic stop in Silver Spring more than a decade ago, police said. The officer was paralyzed below the chest and confined to a wheelchair.
The gunman, 18-year-old Terrence Arthur Green, was convicted by a jury in September 2004 and sentenced to life in prison plus 20 years for attempted murder, assault and using a handgun during a crime of violence.
The county State’s Attorney’s Office now has the option to bring additional charges against Green and is discussing whether to file charges, a spokesman said Friday.
Olinger conducted a traffic stop involving Green on Aug. 13, 2003, according to news reports. Green was a passenger in a Chrysler sedan pulled over by Olinger, and he pulled a gun on the officer.
Olinger responded by drawing his own weapon, but didn’t shoot, and Green fired on him and fled.
Olinger, a former Marine, described life confined to a wheelchair as his “own personal hell.”
Authorities from Arizona informed county police about the homicide ruling. Olinger was living in Arizona at the time of his death, so authorities there handled the death investigation, county police said.
Olinger served the department for two years. He retired due to his injuries, but remained involved with the department.
Police have yet to announce details for funeral services.
“He will always be remembered as a vigilant police officer with an impeccable work ethic, serving the communities of Montgomery County honorably,” the department said in a statement.
Olinger was the 19th county police officer to die in the line of duty.
Charlie Wright can be reached at charlie.wright@moco360.media
