In the winter of 1985, a dedicated police sergeant's life was tragically cut short in the line of duty. Joseph M. Cournoyer, a 30-year-old male, had served with the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department for six years, earning his sergeant stripes just six months prior to his death on January 29th. His wife was left to mourn his sudden and violent passing.
On that fateful evening, Sergeant Cournoyer was on patrol when he responded to a robbery at a Murry's Steaks store.
The suspects had fled the scene, and Cournoyer began a search of the vicinity. Near the Minnesota Avenue Metrorail station, he spotted a man on a bus who matched the description of one of the robbers. Cournoyer boarded the bus and escorted the suspect off for questioning. A struggle ensued on the bus platform, during which the suspect, Sylvester R. King Jr., drew a handgun and fired a single shot into Cournoyer's chest. The sergeant was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to his wound.
A massive manhunt was launched, and within days, law enforcement apprehended three individuals in connection with the crime. Sylvester R. King Jr., the man who pulled the trigger, was charged with and ultimately convicted of first-degree murder. The jury's decision was swift, taking less than an hour to deliberate. King was sentenced to a lengthy prison term, with the judge expressing that he should spend the rest of his natural life behind bars. Two other men, Charles A. Blackwell and David A. Corbin, were also arrested for their roles in the robbery and subsequent murder. They both pleaded guilty to charges of second-degree murder.
