MPD Officer Lost Use of His Lower Left Leg
WASHINGTON - Kevin Burno, 26, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to over 15 years in prison on charges stemming from his use of a 1991 Lexus sedan to run over a Metropolitan Police Department patrol officer, Sean Hickman, in March 2013 in Southeast Washington, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Vincent H. Cohen, Jr. and Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Burno was found guilty by a jury in July 2015 of aggravated assault while armed, assault on a police officer while armed, and assault with a dangerous weapon. The verdict followed a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. He was sentenced by the Honorable Patricia A. Broderick. Altogether, the judge sentenced Burno to 15 years, five months, and 10 days in prison. Following his prison term, he will be placed on five years of supervised release.
“Officer Sean Hickman was seriously injured while doing his job, simply for signaling to Kevin Burno that his car’s headlights weren’t on," said Acting U.S. Attorney Cohen. “For no reason whatsoever, Kevin Burno intentionally and recklessly ran Officer Hickman down before fleeing the scene. This case is another reminder of the dangers of police work, and the community will be much safer with this defendant behind bars for the next 15 years."
“Officer Sean Hickman, originally a second-grade teacher, became a police officer to serve and protect citizens of the District of Columbia," said Chief Lanier. “Unfortunately, while Sean was doing just that, protecting and serving, this defendant brutally and maliciously drove his vehicle into Officer Hickman and fled. I am pleased with the outcome and trust that Officer Hickman will find some comfort in the sentencing decision by the Court today."
According to the government’s evidence, on March 5, 2013, at about 6:30 p.m., Officer Hickman was patrolling in Southeast Washington on his 250cc Honda Rebel motor scooter. Officer Hickman was responding to a call in the area when he observed Burno’s vehicle pulling out of a parking spot and heading southbound without its lights on. The officer was travelling northbound and pulled his motor scooter over to the northbound parking lane, where he made a hand signal to Burno’s vehicle indicating that his headlights were not on. Burno pulled out of his parking spot and drove in Officer Hickman’s direction. Burno then abruptly turned his vehicle into the officer, causing him to be thrown off his motor scooter and onto the sidewalk - unable to move. Burno sped off without stopping or providing medical assistance to Officer Hickman.
Officer Hickman was treated for serious injuries to the left side of his body in general, and his lower left leg in particular. To date, he has limited movement in his left leg and can no longer work patrol duties.
In announcing the sentence, Acting U.S. Attorney Cohen and Chief Lanier commended the work of Officer Hickman and the Metropolitan Police Department’s Sixth District. They also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the prosecution from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brandon Long and Richard DiZinno, who investigated and indicted the case; Litigation Technology Specialist Leif Hickling; Paralegal Specialists Stephanie Gilbert and Richard Cheatham; and Intern Willie Wilson. Finally, they expressed appreciation for the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Derrick Williams and Karen Seifert, of the Felony Major Crimes Trial Section, who prosecuted the matter.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
