Leonardtown Barrack Chief Climbs Police Ranks

Promotion Brings Statewide Responsibility

The Calvert County resident who commanded the Maryland State Police Leonardtown barrack for nearly six years was promoted Tuesday to commander of criminal investigations statewide.

On Day One of the new assignment, Capt. Brian Cedar assumed command of the detectives investigating the death of a 19-year-old accused of killing a police officer in Prince George's County. The suspect was found strangled while in solitary confinement at a Prince George's correctional facility.

Cedar, who lives north of Solomons in southern Calvert, worked almost 20 years in the Leonardtown barrack, moving his way up through every rank. He has been replaced by Lt. Michael W. Thompson, a Leonardtown resident who had served as commander of the Annapolis barrack since August.

"It's going to be challenging," Cedar said in an interview. "I haven't been a detective in eight years."

Cedar declined to comment on the investigation into the death of Ronnie L. White, accused of killing Cpl. Richard S. Findley. Cedar said only that he was still trying to get his bearings while the "very competent" detectives in his unit did their jobs.

"To be quite honest with you, it's another investigation that they're conducting," he said. "They're kind of oblivious to the media coverage."

Cedar said he was picked as commander of the criminal investigation division after a series of retirements and promotions in the state police ranks. The previous commander of the division, Ronald W. Cullison, was promoted to major, he said.

Thompson, Cedar's successor, said he is excited to be back in St. Mary's County at a barrack he regards as his "home." Thompson is a close friend of St. Mary's Sheriff Timothy K. Cameron (R) and said he will work with the sheriff on a "myriad of initiatives."

"It's very exciting . . . to come back under the circumstances where the sheriff is a lifelong friend," Thompson said. "We're excited about doing everything we can for the community."

Cameron said that he would miss Cedar but that he was pleased to have the opportunity to work with his "best friend," a man he jokingly refers to as "young" because he is 38. Cameron is 49.

Cameron said he and Thompson earned master's degrees in management from Johns Hopkins University last year. The two have shared ideas about law enforcement strategies, the sheriff said.

"He is a very focused, dedicated employee to the state police," Cameron said. "Mike and I are best friends, but he's a consummate professional."

Before serving as commander of the Annapolis barrack, Thompson was commander of the state police's legislative security section. He previously worked in the Leonardtown barrack as first sergeant and detective sergeant.

Thompson said he was transferred to the Leonardtown barrack as part of a state police plan to have barrack commanders work in the area where they live. In addition to cutting more than an hour off his commute, Thompson said, the transfer will let him attend community events more easily.

"Our superintendent, he puts a great emphasis on returning barrack commanders back to the county where they reside," Thompson said. "That's certainly where all my energy and passion reside."