Unity Playground Dedicated To Officer Amy Caprio

PERRY HALL, MD — Leaders dedicated a new playground at Gunpowder Elementary School Saturday to Officer Amy Caprio.

Killed in May 2018, Caprio was the first female officer in Baltimore County to die in the line of duty. The playground was designed to honor the life and service of Caprio. who was run over while investigating a suspicious circumstance in a nearby Perry Hall neighborhood.

"In my remarks, I spoke of the twin values of courage and community - the bravery of Officer Caprio when she was murdered on May 21, 2018, and the generosity of spirit shown by our community in the time afterward. We came together to support one another," Councilman David Marks said in a statement after the ceremony.

"In all my years as a Councilman, this was one of finest projects and among the best dedication ceremonies I have attended," Marks said. " There are so many to thank, but it begins with Kirsten Roller, Matt Clifford and their families from Linwen Way who sparked this project. Children will play, laugh, and learn here for years to come."

Police Chief Melissa Hyatt was among those in attendance at the dedication ceremony Saturday afternoon, where local leaders and elected officials delivered remarks.

Some handed out thin blue line stickers and others sold t-shirts in memory of Caprio.

Books were donated for a section of the playground area called "Amy's reading nook."

A Facebook page called the Officer Amy Caprio Playground Project was launched in January 2020, stating that the Gunpowder Elementary PTA planned to breathe new life into the playground and hardtops on the campus.

"On May 21, 2018, Officer Caprio lost her life in the line of duty protecting the citizens of Baltimore County," according to the Officer Amy Caprio Playground Project page. "More specifically, her brave actions and ultimate sacrifice protected the children that attend Gunpowder Elementary School."

Gunpowder Elementary School is about 1 mile from Linwen Way, where Caprio was hit by a teen who ran her over. He among four teens sentenced for her murder.

The playground was the latest tribute to Caprio. Others include the dog park at Honeygo Run Regional Park dedicated in her honor, a scholarship at Towson University named for her, a memorial bike ride in her name around Jerusalem Mill and the Gunpowder Falls State Park and a kennel at the Humane Society of Harford County dedicated to Caprio.

The Unity Playground dedication ceremony was from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 23, at Gunpowder Elementary School, 9540 Holiday Manor Rd., Perry Hall, MD 21236. Children in attendance were given the opportunity to be the first to play at the new addition.

See Also:

• Officer Caprio Remembered As 'Dog Mom' And Community Protector
• Playground To Honor Officer Caprio At Gunpowder Elementary School
• Officer Amy Caprio Awarded Posthumous Departmental Honor