Officer Caprio Remembered As 'Dog Mom' And Community Protector

PERRY HALL, MD — Officer Amy Caprio was celebrated for her love of pets and their people at a ceremony outside the Perry Paw Dog Park. A plaque was dedicated in honor of the officer who was killed in the line of duty on May 21, 2018. She was 29.

The plaque says it is "dedicated to the memory of Officer Caprio; a wife, daughter, sister, aunt, dog mom and police officer."

First responders, dogs, children, elected officials, community members and Caprio's family gathered for the plaque dedication ceremony in Perry Hall Saturday, Oct. 5. It was followed by an event featuring public safety demonstrations and information booths about animal adoption.

"Today is a day that Amy truly would have loved and enjoyed," her mother, Debbie Sorrells, said from the podium. "It's a day about family, it’s a day about friends and it’s a day about dogs."

Caprio and her husband adopted their dog, Doodle, from the Humane Society of Harford County in 2015.

"Many of us have been blessed to know or have heard the stories of Officer Caprio as the courageous young police officer who was always there," County Executive Johnny Olszewski said. "But today is exciting in many ways because we get to tell another story, the story of her passion and her husband Tim's passion of being advocates for animals."

Added Olszewski: "Officer Caprio represents the very best among us, and on behalf of the 850,000 residents of Baltimore County, we are truly and eternally grateful for her service and sacrifice."

The county's police chief echoed gratitude and said she felt a kindred spirit with Caprio because of their love of canines and family.

"She was unquestionably someone that I would have connected with over her love of dogs," said Baltimore County Police Chief Melissa Hyatt, who was sworn into office in June and had not had the honor of meeting Caprio. To get a sense of what she was like, the chief said she spoke with the fallen officer's colleagues and those who knew her.

"I could sincerely understand the deep sense of loss over this extraordinary woman," Hyatt said. "Amy really was the type of person that drew everyone to her, people and furry critters alike, and so it is fitting in this fantastic dog park on this crisp fall day that this dedication ceremony and plaque serve as a symbol of our commitment to keeping Amy's memory alive."

Hyatt thanked police and parks personnel for organizing the event as well as Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger, who prosecuted the case that resulted in four life sentences for the teens involved in her death.

Perry Hall Councilman David Marks recalled how residents rushed to aid Caprio after she was hit and the way the entire community honored the officer after she died, with ribbons and bunting.

"Her death is a reminder that evil sometimes lurks in the most quiet and comfortable of places," Marks said, "but also that service, sacrifice and compassion endure as hallmarks of our community."

It was fitting the tribute to her was at this park, Marks said, since the Honeygo footbridge was one of the most prominent places decked out with ribbons in her honor.

While Gary Sorrells said his daughter was not someone who would want a building named after her, he said the plaque at the dog park was "something I think she would accept."

"She would find dogs on the side of the road [and] take them back to the precinct," he said, and she treated them like children.

The plaque was "really a true testament," Garry Sorrells said.

The memorial plaque can be found outside Perry Paw Dog Park in Honeygo Run Regional Park, 9033 Honeygo Boulevard, Perry Hall, MD 21128.