DC police officer Terry Bennett dies after being struck while helping motorist

Washington Metropolitan Police Department Officer Terry Bennett has died from injuries he suffered while helping a stranded motorist, the department announced Thursday.

Bennett, 32, had been hospitalized since Dec. 23, when he was struck by a passing vehicle while helping a driver who had run out of gas. The driver who hit him remained at the scene, and the incident remained under investigation, an MPD spokesman said. No charges have been filed.

In a statement, Interim Police Chief Jeffery Carroll said the department’s members were “stand shoulder to shoulder with Officer Bennett’s family and friends as they process this unimaginable loss.” Carroll described Bennett as “a model officer” and “a born and raised Washingtonian” who wanted “to make a positive impact on his community,” dedicating himself to bettering the lives of young people. He said Bennett’s death was devastating for the department and the city and asked that Washingtonians “reflect on Officer Bennett’s sacrifice and keep his family in their thoughts and prayers.”

Mayor Muriel Bowser also praised Bennett, saying he lost his life doing “what he was known to do — helping and caring for the people around him.” Bowser said the officer was deeply committed to the community, adding that through his work he “impacted the lives of countless students and Washingtonians and he leaves behind a legacy of love and courage.”

Bennett is survived by his wife and son. The AP report said he was the son of a former MPD officer and joined the department in February 2018.

Before joining the police department, Bennett worked at his alma mater, Ballou Senior High School, first as an associate dean and later as the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator for the Ballou football team.

Bennett’s death came at a challenging time for MPD, the AP report said. It cited that President Donald Trump took over the department for a month last year as part of what the administration called a crime fighting mission, and it said the force has faced scrutiny for cooperating with federal agents, including immigration enforcement officers, with the police chief stepping down recently.

A procession moved Bennett’s body about four miles from MedStar Washington Hospital Center to the D.C. Medical Examiner, with hundreds of MPD officers and personnel from the U.S. Park Police and the U.S. Capitol Police, along with members of the National Guard, lining the route.

MPD said Bennett was the 127th line of duty death in its 164-year history and the first since 2024.