A man who formerly served as a San Diego police officer and Marine at Camp Pendleton was found dead in Maryland on Sunday morning, according to officials.

David Draa, 30, was found dead at the 7300-block of Flower Avenue in Takoma Park, Md. Investigators found the bodies of Draa and 30-year-old Kyle Hickman on the driveway around 1:45 a.m.

Investigators said the incident appears to be a murder-suicide. Draa and Hickman worked together a special education school in Washington, D.C. and police said the two men were friends.

Draa served in the Marines from 1999 to 2008 as a 1st Lieutenant and platoon commander before becoming a police officer in San Diego, according to his social media profiles. After a year at SDPD he moved to Maryland to work at High Road School.


Police said Draa and Hickman spent Saturday biking while Draa's fiance was out of town. After Hickman's bike got a flat tire on the trip, he texted his wife to let her know he would stay at Draa's home and fix the bike on Sunday.

Authorities believe during the night alcohol was consumed by one or both men. Around 1:40 a.m. Hickman appeared to take the bike out to fix it. Evidence from the scene reveals while Hickman was working on the bike, Draa shot him from behind and then took his own life.

"We can only speculate as to why this occurred," read a statement from the Takoma Police Department. "We believe that David had experienced severe trauma during his tour of duty while serving in the Marine Corps, as well as some difficulties in his personal life."

Takoma police said there was no indication of hostility prior to the shooting and they are investigating the incident.

OFFICER DAVID DRAA
ID 6587
SDPD 07/18/2008 - 07/14/2009
05/24/1982 - 02/24/2013

email me
Basic information is provided as a courtesy and is obtained from a variety of sources including public data, museum files and or other mediums.  While the San Diego Police Historical Association strives for accuracy, there can be issues beyond our control which renders us unable to attest to the veracity of what is presented. More specific information may be available if research is conducted.  Research is done at a cost of $50 per hour with no assurances of the outcome.  For additional information please contact us.