Charles Moose, former Montgomery County Police chief at helm during DC snipers, dies at 68

WASHINGTON D.C. (7News) — Former Montgomery County Police Chief Charles Moose, who was at the helm of the department during the 2002 DC sniper attacks, has passed away at the age of 68.

Moose's wife, Sandy, made the unexpected announcement in a Facebook post on Thanksgiving evening. She stated that it was not her intent to be trite, but rather to share the news with the world in a timely manner.

"This evening, while watching football and sitting in his recliner, I'm so sad to say that the absolute love of my life passed away," Sandy wrote. "He called my name, and I came running but it was too late. His body was shutting down... He meant so much to so many, I'm at a loss... Godspeed Charles."

Sandy referred to her late husband as her "best friend since 1982." She did not disclose his cause of death.

Moose was chief of police in Montgomery County from 1999 to 2003 and is perhaps most remembered for his work during the 2002 DC sniper attacks.

In June 2003, Moose resigned from Montgomery County Police following a dispute over a book deal and movie consulting contract about his work during the sniper investigation.

In September 2003, 'Three Weeks in October: The Manhunt for the Serial Sniper' was released. The 384-page autobiography focussed heavily on the sniper attacks but also chronicled his life story. Moose appeared on national television programs including 'Dateline NBC' and 'The Today Show' to promote the book......

REACTION FROM THE COMMUNITY

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich (D) released a statement Friday saying he was saddened to learn about Moose's passing.

"For 23 days, Chief Moose provided a calming presence in the midst of the terror and fear that consumed our County and the Washington Region and was nationally recognized for his efforts," said Elrich who joined the Montgomery County Council in 2006 and became executive in 2018. "[He] will be remembered as the face of Montgomery County during the 2002 D.C. Sniper tragedy."

The Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office credited Moose for providing leadership during some of the county's "darkest days."

Individuals in a pro-law enforcement Facebook group called 'We The Citizens Support Montgomery County Police Officers' shared their memories of Moose.

"RIP Chief. He earned my respect during the sniper shootings and I will be forever grateful for his leadership." — Cheryl Stokes Walker

"I remember the days of the snipers and how his speaking at the news conferences would make me feel a little safer, even though we were far from safe. He was very well respected." — Donna Digiacomo

Police fixed on idea of sniper as 'white man in white van'

David Rennie in Washington

October 28 2002 12:11 AM

CHARLES Moose, the police chief hailed as a hero for tracking down the suspected Washington snipers, reacted angrily yesterday to reports that police stopped the suspected killers' car several times but let it go because they were fixated on the belief that a white gunman was driving a white van.

"Let's not be premature in judging a tremendous job by law enforcement in the Washington metropolitan area . . . Hindsight does us no good," said Mr Moose, police chief of Montgomery County, Maryland, where six people were shot dead, allegedly by the 41-year-old ex-soldier John Muhammad and John Malvo (17).

In all, 10 people were killed during a three-week shooting spree and three critically wounded.

Mr Moose said investigators were still trying to determine if officers actually spoke to the suspected killers or simply checked their number plates on the police database after stopping them at road blocks.

Police records show that officers asked for licence plate searches on the Chevrolet Caprice saloon car driven by the suspected killers on at least 10 occasions. The FBI have said an officer in Baltimore, Maryland, stopped the car and spoke to the driver, Muhammad, on October 8, but sent him on his way.

Conservative commentators have highlighted an admission by Charles Ramsey, the Washington police chief, that investigators assumed a serial killer with a gun fetish was likely to be white. Mr Ramsey told The Washington Post: "We were looking for a white van with white people and we ended up with a blue car with black people."

Andrew Sullivan, a prominent conservative commentator, wrote in response to Mr Ramsey's comments: "Why isn't this a scandal? The only reason the cops . . . were looking for a white guy was allegedly because only white guys are serial killers or snipers."

Asking readers to imagine the reverse scenario, in which a white killer was allowed free because police were obsessed with finding a black criminal, he speculated: "Wouldn't the cops involved be fired? Wouldn't there be a massive investigation into how such racial profiling could have happened?"

Holes had been drilled in the boot of the car so that shots could be fired from inside it.

Meanwhile, FBI agents have arrested without bond Nathaniel Osbourne, the co-owner of the car driven by the suspected killers, believing he may be able to help them understand their motives. ( Daily Telegraph, London)

https://www.independent.ie/world-news/americas/police-fixed-on-idea-of-sniper-as-white-man-in-white-van-26032458.html

"I remember his tenure as Portland Police Chief very well. Rumors of poor management skills were constant, as were head scratching decisions. Inappropriate (and sometimes racist) public outbursts and the worst era for morale among officers ever made for a very strange and volatile period for police. Liberal mayor and city council covered for him because they didn't want their affirmative action golden boy to be seen as a failure.

Of course, when he moved to another position his incompetence followed him but there seemed to be on shortage of cities desperate for any kind of black police chief. So they just ignored his pattern of poor performance." -jerry pdx

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