White Marsh Officer Injured in Deputy-Involved Shooting: Police

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD – A Baltimore County policeman assigned to the White Marsh precinct is hospitalized after he shot at deputies outside his home in Bel Air Thursday afternoon and they returned fire, according to officials.

Officer First Class James L. Ward, a 19-year veteran of the department, will be suspended without pay once felony charges are filed, the Baltimore County Police Department reported.

“I am shocked and saddened at the actions of one of our officers this afternoon," Baltimore County Police Chief Jim Johnson said in a statement. "I am thankful that none of the first responders and police personnel who handled this call were physically injured. We hope that the Baltimore County officer involved in this incident receives the medical help he apparently needs so desperately.”

Ward was involved in a domestic dispute Thursday afternoon at his home on Stratton Drive in Bel Air, where he was said to be suicidal, intoxicated and armed, the Harford County Sheriff's Office reported.

Related: Baltimore County Officer Airlifted After Deputy-Involved Shooting

Patrol officers responding at 12:10 p.m. heard multiple gunshots fired inside the Bel Air residence and called for special response and special operations assistance, the sheriff's office said.

Ward stopped engaging in phone conversations with negotiators at 2:40 p.m. and fired several rounds into the tactical rescue vehicle posted outside his residence, authorities reported.

Two deputies taking cover in the vehicle fired at and injured Ward, who came out of the house and was arrested without further incident, according to the sheriff's office.

The Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company provided first aid, and a Maryland State Police medevac arrived to take Ward to shock trauma, where he was being treated Thursday evening for serious injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening, officials reported.