On 12/13/04, Det. Clayton Safford and Det. William Raddatz of the St. Mary’s Bureau of Criminal Investigations responded to Great Mills High School to make apprehension of Suspect Burke Lee Woodworth, a 36 year old Lexington Park resident, for the charge of child abuse. The detectives located Suspect Woodworth seated in the passenger seat of a vehicle he was known to occupy. As they approached the vehicle, the officers noticed the suspect had a large knife in his hand. Officers ordered the suspect to put the knife down. Suspect Woodworth took an aggressive posture with the knife, sitting up, leaning forward and gripping the knife in an offensive manner. Detective Raddatz told the suspect he was under arrest. Detective Safford ordered the subject, numerous times, to put the knife down and exit the vehicle. After several minutes of negotiations, the suspect exited the vehicle.
While attempting to place the suspect in handcuffs, he began to fight with the officers, striking Det. Safford first then Det. Raddatz. Officers attempted to subdue the suspect while he was continuously striking the officers and resisting their attempts to arrest him. During the struggle, the suspect attempted to disarm Det. Raddatz.
Additional units were called to assist and the suspect was brought under control. The suspect was transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center and charged with the following: child abuse, attempting to disarm a law enforcement officer, two counts of second degree assault, resisting arrest and malicious destruction of property for Det. Safford’s personal property that was damaged during the struggle.