In December 1864 , A. C. Richards became Major and Superintendent , a post he would hold through the next 14 years . Richards was present at Ford 's Theater the night the President Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth . In one of the lowest points of the MPD 's history , the police officer who was to guard Lincoln that night , John Frederick Parker , had left his post at the door to Lincoln 's box , presumably to get a drink at the bar across the street . Officer Crook , who had been on duty that day and had been relieved by Parker who was several hours late for his shift , would place blame in his book on Parker for Lincoln 's death
assassinated
Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia