The tragic death of Detective Jacai Colson resulted in an outpouring of support from around the country--hand-drawn posters from elementary students, moments of silence, candlelight vigils and various other expressions of support. Over the past several days, Prince George's County said its final goodbye with a large funeral service at First Baptist Church of Glenarden, where police officers descended from around the nation. 

Colson, 28, worked as a narcotics detective and was one of six officers trying to stop Michael Brown, 22, who police say opened fire on passing cars, an ambulance and police officers on March 13 outside the District 3 police station in Palmer Park. Colson was accidentally shot by a fellow officer during the ambush.

Loved ones packed the First Baptist Church of Glenarden to remember Detective Jacai Colson. Colson was killed in the line of duty nearly two weeks prior. "My baby is at peace," said Sheila Colson, Jacai's mother, in front of a full church. 

Both chambers of the Maryland General Assembly have approved Senate Bill 324, the Prince George's County Regional Medical Center Act of 2016. The legislation approves the remainder of the State and County funding necessary to put the new replacement facility for the Prince George’s Hospital Center on track for approval by the Maryland Health Care Commission, the State regulatory body that must approve all new hospital facilities. Between the State and the County, the bill mandates a total of $433.5 million in funding for the Prince George’s Hospital System over the next five years.

The legislature is also considering bills that were introduced in part to respond to concerns raised by residents in the Laurel community raised when the Board of Directors of the Dimensions Healthcare System voted last year to re-purpose the Laurel Regional Hospital.  House Bill 1350 and Senate Bill 707, Freestanding Medical Facilities—Certificate of Need, Rates, and Definition, would require notice and community input on the development of a proposed new facility to replace the existing Laurel Regional Hospital before the facility could be converted to one that does not have inpatient beds. Those bills are still under active consideration.