Deputy First Class Glenn Hilliard | Wicomico County Sheriff's Office

We were shocked and surprised during a peaceful Sunday evening last night; worried for an officer we thought was injured; praying he or she would survive and recover. We were broken-hearted to see the updates which told us this was much worse, and devastated to read the words which began spilling out across social media. Our prayers for strength go out to the family of this deputy, loved ones and friends, and all at the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office as together we struggle to process what has happened.

   

January 9th, 2021: National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

Good morning! We hope you enjoyed a happy and healthy holiday season and are ready to kick off the new year. First up in 2021 is Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, observed on Saturday, January 9th. To all of our nation's law enforcement officers, we thank you!

January 18th, 2020 | Farewell, Officer Spencer Wiersberg

Today, as we prepare to say goodbye to Officer Spencer Wiersberg, I tried to think of some words to say. It seemed fitting to acknowledge some of the beautiful things which have been written about him, reflect perhaps on his charisma and spirit, or try to offer some phrases or a quote of comfort for the family.

Thank A Police Officer Day on Delmarva: We're Looking for Community Partners

Attention Delmarva Residents and Business Owners!! Following up on the basic information which we began distributing several weeks ago, we're kicking the plans for September 15th into high gear. Between now and then we will be collecting cards, posters and signboards created by local residents, students and art classes, and then ensuring that these are handed out to area police departments. (Pssst.....we need a lot of cards). See the previous blog post here.

Eastern Shore of Maryland LEO's | K9 Ike, Worcester County Sheriff's Office

Friday 6/1: Today we acknowledge the most recent line of duty death on the eastern shore of Maryland, K9 Ike. On May 3rd, 2014 he became the 35th name to be added to the memorials located at the Eastern Shore Police Association in Rhodesdale, Maryland.

Deputy Sheriff Jason Charles Schwenz, Queen Anne's County Sheriff's Department

Wednesday 5/30: Today we acknowledge Deputy Jason Schwenz, the second of two law enforcement officers to pass on February 13th, 2001. He was the first Queen Anne's County deputy to be killed in the line of duty.

Deputy Jason Schwenz and Officer Michael Nickerson were shot and killed after responding to a noise complaint. The two officers and a state trooper had responded to the complaint and had been given permission to enter the mobile home by the suspect's mother, who lived across the street. The officers were in a screened in porch and had identified themselves when the suspect told them not to come in or they would get hurt. When the officers opened the door, the suspect opened fire with a shotgun, striking Deputy Schwenz and Officer Nickerson.

The state trooper dragged Officer Nickerson off of the porch and was attempting to revive him when the suspect attacked him. The trooper was able to overpower the suspect and place him under arrest. The suspect was found guilty of two counts of first degree murder on May 24, 2002, and sentenced to death. He was also sentenced to life without parole for the attempted murder of the state trooper. The suspect died in prison on November 17, 2002. Deputy Schwenz had been employed with the agency for 18 months, and is survived by his fiancée, parents, and brother. Source: ODMP.

• February 22nd, 2017 Sheriff's deputies recognized for service
• October 16th, 2001 Law Officers Salute Fallen Comrades
• February 18th, 2001 State bids farewell to a fallen hero; Marylanders gather to honor deputy slain in Queen Anne's
• February 15th, 2001 Law enforcement bonds of blood, duty; Slain police officers are mourned by kindred agencies

Remembering Deputy Sheriff Jason Charles Schwenz

Queen Anne's County Sheriff's Department

End of Watch: Tuesday, February 13th, 2001

Thank you to all of our law enforcement agencies and departments. We are grateful for you each and every day! Stay safe and God bless you all.



Sincerely,
Delmarva Supports Law Enforcement

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Police Officer Michael Scott Nickerson, Centreville (MD) Police Department

Tuesday 5/29: Police Officer Michael Nickerson, along with Deputy Jason Schwenz, were shot and killed on February 13th, 2001 while responding to a noise complaint. The two officers and a state trooper had responded to the complaint and had been given permission to enter the mobile home by the suspect's mother, who lived across the street. The officers were in a screened in porch and had identified themselves when the suspect told them not to come in or they would get hurt.

When the officers opened the door, the suspect opened fire with a shotgun, striking Deputy Schwenz and Officer Nickerson. The state trooper dragged Officer Nickerson off of the porch and was attempting to revive him when the suspect attacked him. The trooper was able to overpower the suspect and place him under arrest. Officer Nickerson was transported to a trauma center where he succumbed to his injuries approximately one hour later.

The suspect was found guilty of two counts of first degree murder, and one count of attempted murder on May 24, 2002, and sentenced to death. He was also sentenced to life without parole for the attempted murder of the state trooper. The suspect died in prison on November 17, 2002. Officer Nickerson is the first Centreville officer to be killed in the line of duty. He had been employed with the agency for one month after leaving a nearby agency. He is survived by his parents and two brothers. Source: ODMP.

5.19.17 Fallen officers honored in Sykesville 

2.15.17 First responders remember 'Fallen Heroes' 

10.27.11 Trooper honors late uncle by joining force: "Tanner Nickerson follows both his uncle — who was killed wearing the uniform of a small-town police force, his life cut short before he could become a state trooper — and his father, who joined the state police to fulfill his slain brother's dream."

Remembering Police Officer Michael Scott Nickerson

Centreville Police Department

End of Watch: Tuesday, February 13th, 2001

Thank you to all of our law enforcement agencies and departments. We are grateful for you each and every day! Stay safe and God bless you all.




Sincerely,
Delmarva Supports Law Enforcement

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Fallen Officers from Maryland's Eastern Shore | Deputy Heller, Worcester County Sheriff's Office

Sunday 5/27: Today we remember the second law enforcement officer from the Worcester County Sheriff's Office to pass in the line of duty, Deputy Sheriff Brian Keith Heller; EOW June 14th, 2000. He became the 31st fallen hero from the Maryland side of the Delmarva Peninsula.

"Deputy Heller was killed in an single car automobile accident while responding to an assistance call. Deputy Heller was responding to assist another deputy with a mental patient, who was armed with a possible weapon. As Deputy Heller was driving southbound on U.S. Route 113, his 2000 Ford Crown Victoria went out of control and struck a group of trees, ejecting him. Upon impact the cruiser burst into flames. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries a short time later. Deputy Heller had been in law enforcement for 13 years, and had been with the Worcester County Sheriff's Office for four years. He is survived by his wife and two daughters, ages 9 and 14." Source: ODMP.

Remembering Trooper Mark P. Groner, Maryland State Police | EOW: October 1st, 1992

Monday 5/21: State police officer Mark P. Groner became the 28th officer to pass in the line of duty on the eastern shore of Maryland. He was 24 years of age at the time of his death.

Trooper Groner was killed in an accident at Routes 392 and 313 near Hurlock while responding to a call. His vehicle was struck by a vehicle, spun around, and struck by a third oncoming vehicle. Trooper Groner had been with the agency for almost five years. Source: ODMP.

Deputy Sheriff Charles H. Lankford, Caroline County Sheriff's Office

Thursday 5/17: Today we remember the 24th officer lost in the line of duty on the eastern shore. Deputy Sheriff Charles H. Lankford of the Caroline County Sheriff's Office, EOW: July 29th, 1977.

Deputy Sheriff Charles Lankford suffered a fatal heart attack while attempting to break up a fight between four men at the county's annual carnival. Deputy Lankford had served with the Caroline County Sheriff's Office for 13 years. He was survived by his wife and two children. Source: ODMP.

Remembering Trooper First Class Phillip Lee Russ, Maryland State Police

Sunday 5/13: Acknowledging the twentieth line of duty death on Delmarva's eastern shore, a state trooper who died in a helicopter crash along with another of Maryland's Finest.

Trooper Philip Russ and Trooper Thomas Noyle were killed when their Bell Jet Ranger helicopter crashed while they were conducting a med-evac to the Maryland Trauma Center. The aircraft encountered heavy fog and crashed near Bennett's Paint Road in Queenstown when the pilot attempted to land. Trooper Russ had been employed with the Maryland State Police for almost four years. Source: ODMP.

Remembering Trooper First Class Phillip Lee Russ

Maryland State Police

EOW: October 28th, 1972

Visit us on Facebook to learn about the officers lost from our Delmarva Peninsula portion of Maryland.



Sincerely,
Delmarva Supports Law Enforcement
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Eastern Shore of Maryland LODD | Trooper First Class Thomas Asa Noyle, Maryland State Police

Saturday, May 12th: Today we remember Trooper First Class Thomas Asa Noyle of the Maryland State Police. Tragically, he passed while serving in the line of duty on Saturday, October 28th, 1972, along with Trooper First Class Phillip Lee Russ.

Trooper First Class Thomas Noyle had 5 years and 10 months of service and was happy for every minute he served as a trooper for the State of Maryland. On October 28, 1972, Medic Noyle was riding aboard a medical evaluation equipped helicopter bound for Dorchester General Hospital to transport a patient. Medic Noyle died when the aircraft he was riding encountered thick fog. The pilot, Trooper First Class Phillip Lee Russ, attempted an emergency landing in an empty farming field, instead crashing, and killing both men. Source: ODMP.

"Noyle was trained in advanced first aid and received additional medical training at the University of Maryland for duties as a medic on board the Maryland State Police helicopter. Trooper Noyle, 28, is survived by his wife, Maureen Noyle, and three children, Scott Thomas Noyle, Troy Asa Noyle, and Jode Adrian Noyle". Source:





Thank you to all of our law enforcement agencies and departments. We are grateful for you each and every day! Stay safe and God bless you all.



Sincerely,
Delmarva Supports Law Enforcement

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Eastern Shore of Maryland | Deputy Albert Lee Kelly, Wicomico County Sheriff's Office

Friday 5/11: Today we remember Deputy Albert Lee Kelly, the eighteenth name on the ESPA memorial wall. He was killed along with Sheriff Samuel Graham whom we posted about yesterday, and the two officers are the first of three sets of law enforcement to pass on the same date.

Deputy Kelly and Sheriff Samuel Graham were shot and killed at approximately 2200 hours by an inmate in the county jail. The inmate had obtained a handgun that was smuggled to him in a box of candy. As Deputy Kelly placed inmates into cells the suspect grabbed him and pulled him against the bars. After forcing Deputy Kelly to open the out cell doors the suspect shot and killed him. Sheriff Graham, who lived in an apartment in the jail, was alerted to the escape and came to investigate. As he did so he was also shot and killed by the suspect. The man fled the jail but was apprehended the next morning in Dover, Delaware. The man was sentenced to two life terms in jail. Deputy Kelly had been with the agency for one year. Source: ODMP.

Remembering Deputy Albert Lee Kelly

Wicomico County Sheriff's Office

EOW: December 8th, 1968

Thank you to all of our law enforcement agencies and departments. We are grateful for you each and every day! Stay safe and God bless you all.



Sincerely,
Delmarva Supports Law Enforcement
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Officer Harry W. Daugherty, Crisfield, MD Police Department

Today we observe the ninth fallen officer from the eastern shore of Maryland, Officer Harry W. Daugherty of the Crisfield Police Department.

"Policeman Harry Daugherty succumbed to wounds sustained three days earlier when he was attacked by a man with a chisel. Policeman Daugherty had gone to a home on Paper Street to investigate reports of a disturbance. While inside he was attacked by the suspect and stabbed in the temple with a chisel. The suspect was apprehended the following morning after a manhunt involving over 1,000 citizens. He was taken to the Baltimore City Jail by state police officers to prevent him from being lynched by citizens. Policeman Daugherty was survived by his wife and seven children." Source: ODMP

Remembering Officer Harry W. Daugherty

Crisfield Police Department

End of Watch Tuesday, May 1, 1934

Crisfield, MD Police Department | Remembering Night Chief John H. "Jack Hen" Daugherty

The fourth officer to be killed in the line of duty on the Maryland side of Delmarva was from Somerset County. While searching for information I came across this article on the Delmarva History website, dated 2009: "Three Fallen Crisfield Police Officers Added to Memorial". It was during Police Week in May that the names from the Crisfield Police Department were added to the memorial wall in Rhodesdale, MD, with Chief Daugherty's being the first.

Maryland's Eastern Shore LODD | Deputy Sheriff Thompson, Talbot County Sheriff's Office

Today as part of our effort to learn about the names on the Eastern Shore Police Association memorial wall, we acknowledge a law enforcement officer from Talbot County, Maryland. Deputy Sheriff Thompson was shot and killed while attempting to recapture five prisoners who had escaped from the Easton Jail. As Deputy Thompson and another deputy walked up to a home, belonging to the brother of three of the escapees, the prisoners opened fire, killing Deputy Thompson instantly. The other deputy ran for help and all five were soon recaptured. Source: ODMP.org

Remembering Deputy Sheriff Thomas J. Thompson

Talbot County Sheriff's Office, Maryland

End of Watch Saturday, March 1, 1902

Visit us on Facebook to learn about the officers lost from our Delmarva Peninsula portion of Maryland.




Sincerely,
Delmarva Supports Law Enforcement

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Press Release for Thank a Police Officer Day, September 16th

Saturday, September 16th is "Thank A Police Officer Day". This is a national event created in 2012 by the Whole Truth Project, and here on Delmarva we are working with local residents to "adopt" and recognize area agencies and LEO's. Operating behind the scenes is a planning group with over 200 volunteers, who for the third year are reaching out across the Peninsula to acknowledge more than 70 area police departments.

We Stand With Law Enforcement | Police Departments of the Delmarva Peninsula (part 2)

This is the second post featuring graphics in support of local police departments across the eastern shore of Maryland and state of Delaware. Please feel free to save, share or make these your profile images. Find the complete listing on our Facebook Page album here.

Four-footed Officers of Delmarva (Part 4)

Part four of our week honoring those who serve our communities on four feet includes: K9's from the Queen Anne's County Sheriff's Office, Ocean City Mounted Patrol, Weatherkitty of the Cecil County Sheriff's Office and K9 Officers from central Delaware.



• • • K9's from the Queen Anne's County Sheriff's Office • • •