Department and city respond
Interim Police Chief Jeffery Carroll called Bennett “a model officer, a born and raised Washingtonian who wanted to make a positive impact on his community, dedicating himself to bettering the lives of young people.”
“The men and women of the Metropolitan Police Department stand shoulder to shoulder with Officer Bennett’s family and friends as they process this unimaginable loss,” Carroll said in a statement. “This loss is devastating for both our department and our city.”
Mayor Muriel Bowser said Bennett lost his life doing “what he was known to do — helping and caring for the people around him.” Bowser described Bennett as deeply committed to the community and said he “leaves behind a legacy of love and courage.”
A life of service beyond the badge
Before joining the police force, Bennett served at Ballou Senior High School — his alma mater — first as an associate dean and later as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator for the school’s football team. Bowser said his coaching and mentorship shaped the lives of countless students and residents across Washington.
Hundreds of MPD officers, U.S. Park Police, U.S. Capitol Police, and members of the National Guard lined the route as a procession of police and emergency vehicles carried his body approximately four miles from MedStar Washington Hospital Center to the D.C. Medical Examiner’s office.
Broader context for the department
Bennett is the 127th officer to die in the line of duty in the department’s 164-year history and the first since 2024.
His death comes during a turbulent period for the MPD. President Donald Trump assumed temporary control of the department as part of what his administration described as a crime-fighting mission. The department has also faced scrutiny over its cooperation with federal immigration enforcement officers, and its police chief stepped down recently.