He was the maestro of traffic, waving his hands with purpose and grace. The cars that rumbled through the intersection of M and Wisconsin were the "musical notes."
Joseph Pozell, a volunteer D.C. police traffic officer, played "a symphony out there," close friend Ed Solomon told hundreds of people who gathered last night at a candlelight vigil in a Georgetown park to honor Pozell, who suffered a severe head injury Saturday after being hit by a car while on duty.
Pozell, 59, a beloved figure in the Georgetown community, remained in grave condition last night at George Washington University Hospital.
Police said earlier yesterday that no charges will be filed against the driver of a sport-utility vehicle that hit Pozell, calling the incident a "tragic accident."
Last night, the scene at Montrose Park looked almost like a Norman Rockwell painting, a slice of old-time Americana: officers in uniforms, adults in suits and blue jeans, a mayor, a police chief, a couple of children with baseball mitts. The park is adjacent to Oak Hill Cemetery on R Street NW, where Pozell is manager and where he lives with his wife, Ella.
One by one, speakers stepped up to the microphone and spoke with adulation about a man known for turning on one foot, like a dancer, at his usual traffic-cop spot at Wisconsin and M streets, and for keeping motorists and pedestrians in line with hand gestures and sharp blasts of his whistle.
"Joe always wanted to be part of something special," said D.C. police Capt. Patrick Burke, a friend. "He was so excited to put on that uniform" and direct traffic, he added.
Pozell was even willing, Burke added with a smile, to give up Friday night martinis and Tanqueray and tonics to do the work.
"Joe loved it," he said. "How many people can chase a dream at Joe's age?"
At one point during the vigil, D.C. Police Chief Charles H. Ramsey presented Pazel's wife with a "blue shield medal," which honors officers injured in the line of duty, and kissed her on the cheek.
On a few occasions, people hoisted their candles in the air in honor of Pozell, a 34-year resident of Georgetown.
Pozell's son Joseph, 26, told the crowd that he was a bit dumbfounded when his father called about five years ago to say he was going to be a volunteer officer.
