Detective Aaron Huch works with the Harford County Sheriff’s Office in the Criminal Investigation Division of major cases and homicides.

Have homicide rates in Harford County increased/ decreased in the last decade?

Homicide rates in Harford County have statistically stayed the same over the last decade.

What is your opinion on how video games have affected youth and how they perceive the consequences of violence?

My opinion is that violent video games have negatively affected societal views on violence not just youth. In my opinion, most young people understand the serious consequences of violence.

Is it difficult to separate yourself from your work, or can you take a break from your cases without feeling guilty?

It is difficult to separate your work from home life in general as a police officer. As homicide investigators, we all take great pride and work extremely hard to solve our assigned cases. I personally find at times that I cannot stop thinking about certain cases due to the nature of the crime and knowing that there is an offender walking the streets of my community. It is necessary to separate yourself from your work at times so that you can maintain a healthy family life.

How accurate would you say TV shows like Criminal Minds and Law and Order SVU are at portraying your work?

I believe that TV shows do not accurately portray our profession. What many people do not understand about investigating homicides is that we will almost never solve a homicide in 30 minutes. Often homicide investigations take hundreds of man hours to bring a case to prosecution. There have been many occasions that we spend up to 30 hours straight without a break working a homicide investigation depending upon leads in the case. This includes authoring numerous search and seizure warrants, subpoenas, court orders, wire taps, victim interviews and witness interviews, suspect interrogations, evidence review, phone records, surveillance. This list contains many duties that you will never see on TV.

What is the worst case you have ever come across?

The worst case that I have come across in my career thus far was a very gruesome homicide in Harford County. The suspect in this case brutally murdered a person staying in his residence, dismembered the victim and cannibalized parts of the victim.

After all of your work, and all you have seen, is there one thing in particular that you would like to share with people?

I always encouraged people to come forward if they have witnessed something or have information on a crime. I truly believe if citizens stand up for each other and their communities criminals get the message very quickly that this is not a place they can easily get away with their crimes.

Have you seen a correlation between homicides/ violence and drug use?

There is a direct correlation between homicides / violent crime and drug use. Drug dealers use violence to control their turf and protect their drug supply. They will often commit violent armed robberies to take drugs, cash and guns from other drug dealers. Drug users will often commit theft, burglaries and robberies to support their drug habit.

What is the most difficult decision you have ever had to make concerning your work?

Every decision that you make as a homicide investigator about a case is a difficult one but it is a decision that is carefully thought out due to the outcome having an effect on the case.

What would you tell someone that hopes to become a homicide detective?

I love my chosen profession in law enforcement and I love coming to work every day. Becoming a homicide detective is a specialized job which requires years of dedication as a police officer and additional training. I would encourage anyone interested in law enforcement to strive to become a Detective during their career. There is no crime more serious than a homicide. Solving a case is rewarding professionally but more importantly we work for the victim and victim’s family.