Happy New Year Greetings for Law Enforcement Officers

January 1st - it's here! We've arrived at a brand new time in our lives, and would like to wish each and every one of you and your loved ones a wonderful year ahead.

LEO Page Admin Seeks Community Connections

At the beginning of this year I asked folks what they'd like to see on the Facebook page, and several replied they'd be interested in seeing more focus and attention on law enforcement and departments here on Delmarva. I think that's an excellent idea, and exactly what I've been wanting to do, which is highlight local agencies from time to time.

25 Ideas for Celebrating "Thank A Police Officer Day" in Your Community

How can you participate in honoring law enforcement? Here is a list filled with ideas for neighborhoods, area businesses, local organizations, schools , families and anyone who wishes to make a difference by saying “thank you” this September.

Thanksgiving Greetings and Gratitude For Police and Law Enforcement

November 25th, 2020: How we've navigated this year, weathered the ups and downs and made it to the day before Thanksgiving, simply amazes me. I cannot believe tomorrow is "Turkey Day", finally here in the midst of our rapidly changing environment! 

Holiday Greetings for Police and Law Enforcement

The following images are a collection of seasonal greetings and Christmas messages of appreciation for the men and women who serve and protect us every day. Some of these have been created by Delmarva Supports Law Enforcement, and you can see more on the Facebook page.

Thank a Police Officer Day on Delmarva | Press Release for September 15th, 2018

For Immediate Release:
Thank a Police Officer Day on Delmarva
Saturday, September 15th, 2018

Thank a Police Officer Day is a national event, created in 2012 by the Whole Truth Project. For the last three years, residents, local businesses and civic organizations have joined together to acknowledge the law enforcement professionals who serve the 14 counties of Delmarva.


When: Saturday, September 15th
Why: Our officers deserve respect, now more than ever
Where: Our goal is to recognize and honor those who
             serve and protect the Delmarva Peninsula


We invite you to join in this effort, spread the word about September 15th and encourage our citizens to to say “thank you” to our officers. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

###

Sincerely,
Delmarva Supports Law Enforcement
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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.

Thank A Police Officer Day is September 15th, 2018

Hi everyone. Below is our annual announcement regarding the community-powered event which takes place each September, Thank a Police Officer Day on Delmarva. Several years ago we started out hoping to visit and acknowledge some of our local departments and were joined by an outpouring of support from area residents and good people. This year's date is Saturday, September 15th and you can sign up to a part of an amazing volunteer event!

What:
Thank A Police Officer Day is a national observance, created by the Whole Truth Project in 2012, and observed each year on the third Saturday of September. 


When:
The official date is Saturday, September 15th. With the help of Team Captains who contact their agencies ahead of time to coordinate deliveries, etc, many of the visits will actually take place on the day before (Friday the 14th) as some facilities do not have a full staff on weekends.


Where:
There are a total of 14 counties (9 on Maryland's eastern shore, 3 in Delaware and 2 on the eastern shore of Virginia). As long as there are people excited and willing to sign up for a particular location we can add that agency to our list.


What is a Team Captain?
This is a key person who organizes planning for their specific department, coordinates the delivery of cards, lunch, treats and visit. It can be one person (or several) who are in charge of making /displaying a giant card around their neighborhood for residents to sign, calling ahead to set up a time to come to the department, contacting local restaurants for a meal, etc. We have been so fortunate to have wonderful Team Captains who worked together to make sure each location in their area was visited, that each officer had a card to open, and that they enjoyed homemade goodies or treats delivered from local businesses.

We would never have imagined that so many officers could have their day made a little brighter but seeing the smiles when kids visit, or when a group comes in to sing for an agency, or deliver pizza is an amazing thing.

Are you interested in becoming a Team Captain?
We are looking for people to sign up and adopt a department! At this time we ask that each person chooses just one agency to ensure that we can have lots of participants and the opportunity for many folks to participate (we may definitely have more locations available later on).


I don't want to be a Team Captain so can I still be involved?
Absolutely! You can help us organize card-writing events or get your office or school together to sign a scroll with messages of support. You can contribute snacks or treats to your neighborhood PD and coordinate with the Team Captain for that area. This is a big project and the help of everyone is gratefully accepted!

How do we get all these cards?
School classes, neighborhood groups, local organizations and friends and family are the ones who help create messages of support. We’ve seen cards of all kinds and varieties, from Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts to Sunday School classes and retirement homes! You can get started anytime and we’ll announce drop off locations for the cards soon. The drop off locations allow cards to be collected and distributed across our entire area (since some counties have a higher number of folks who know about this and participate). NOTE: If you are organizing a group letter or card-writing campaign, please address them to a “Delmarva Law Enforcement Officer”.

What else is involved?
Show your support for our law enforcement. You can choose to fly a blue line flag at your house, change the porch light to a blue bulb or tie ribbons around the trees in your yard. You could quietly pick up the bill for an officer’s lunch or cup of coffee, place a thin blue line on your vehicle and let our LEO’s know that we stand with them!


Can you do your own thing?
Of course! If you wish to do something different for your local agency please go right ahead and celebrate their service in your own way. We do however suggest that you ALWAYS contact a department ahead of time to ask what suits them as far as a time to visit, which types of food items can be accepted, etc. Please keep in mind that not all departments will accept homemade items for safety reasons! Sad but understandable so please call ahead to find out that info in advance.


Visit our Facebook page for more details and contact us through the page if you would like to be a part of this effort. Thank you for your interest in this project and for helping to acknowledge the men and women who serve and protect us all each day.





Our cause was established to acknowledge local departments and agencies across the fourteen counties which make up the Delmarva Peninsula, as well as working to promote an attitude of respect.



Sincerely,
Delmarva Supports Law Enforcement

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Guardians of the Thin Silver Line | Acknowledging Our Correctional Officers

A recent discussion with someone who had been a correctional officer for many years provided a bit of insight about how we may see or perceive others. During our conversation it was mentioned how a career as a corrections officer appeared to mean little to the public; was not acknowledged as challenging or viewed with respect. The conversation ended with a shrug of the shoulders and the statement "well, you know, that's how people see us". The words were a stinging reminder that when we (you and I, citizens, the community) do not value the contributions of others; that society, our young people and the media may fail to do so as well.

Eastern Shore of Maryland Fallen Heroes | Trooper Joseph Thomas Lanzi, Maryland State Police

Saturday 5/26: Today we acknowledge the 30th name on the memorial wall in Dorchester County, honoring the fallen officers of Maryland's eastern shore.

Trooper Lanzi was killed in an accident while responding to assist a Cecil County deputy at the scene of a DUI accident in which the suspect was armed with a gun. During the response Trooper Lanzi's patrol car skidded during a down pour and struck a tree. Trooper Lanzi had served with the agency for almost 5 years. He was survived by his wife, two sons, and daughter. 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.

Remembering Officer Thomas Crouch, Maryland Toll Facilities Police Department

Sunday 5/20: Today we acknowledge the first line of duty death involved with the Maryland Toll Facilities Police Department, Officer Thomas Crouch, End of Watch: Thursday, October 31st, 1991.

"Officer Thomas Crouch was struck by a car and killed while setting out traffic cones on the eastbound lanes of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. He had served with the Maryland Toll Facilities Police Department for 24 years. He was survived by his wife and three 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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Sheriff Samuel Adams Graham | Wicomico County Sheriff's Office (Maryland)

Thursday 5/10: Today's post acknowledges the the seventeenth law enforcement officer line of duty death on the Delmarva side of Maryland. Remembering Sheriff Samuel Adams Graham of the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office. EOW: Sunday, December 8th, 1968.

Sheriff Samuel Graham and Deputy Sheriff Albert Kelly 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. Sheriff Graham had been with the agency for 11 years and was survived by his wife. Source: ODMP.

An article from Dec. 7, 2015: Sheriff's Death in '68 Shocked County

"Before the murders of Sheriff Samuel Adams Graham and Deputy Albert Lee Kelly, no member of the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office had ever been killed in the line of duty. And since they were fatally shot at the jail above the county courthouse on Dec. 8, 1968 – 47 years ago Tuesday -- no member of the office has been killed on the job."

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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Maryland's Eastern Shore Law Enforcement | Inspector George T. Mullikin, MNRP

Wednesday 5/9: Today we remember Inspector George T. Mullikin of the Maryland Natural Resources Police. End of Watch: Friday, April 1st, 1966. ODMP

Fifty years ago, on April 1, 1966, District Inspector George T. Mullikin was participating in an oyster propagation project near the Choptank River Bridge when he suffered a fatal heart attack. Inspector Mullikin was a member of a scuba-diving team that had been examining the effects of various harvesting devices on oyster bottoms.

After having completed several hours of underwater work, he was in the process of freeing the anchor of the research vessel when he surfaced in obvious distress. After being retrieved from the water, he stopped breathing and efforts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Inspector Mullikin had been a sworn member of the Maryland Marine Police for ten years. Source: Maryland Conservation History Facebook page.

May 2017, via the MNRP Facebook page: Trautman salutes Inspector George T. Mullikin, a diver who died in a drowning accident in 1966.

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

Chief of Police James Washington Kirwin | Crisfield Police Department | EOW: 4/18/1930

The seventh Maryland law enforcement officer to pass in the line of duty is from the Crisfield Police Department. 

"Chief James Kirwin succumbed to wounds sustained 6 years earlier when he was struck in the head with a hatchet while attempting to make an arrest. Chief Kirwin and other officers had gone to a barn after being notified that a man inside had slashed another man with the hatchet.

When Chief Kirwin arrived at the barn he was struck in the head. The suspect then struck the other officer in the arm. The officer shot the suspect once, but did not immediately stop him. When the suspect lunged at the officer again, he emptied his revolver at the man, killing him. Chief Kirwin was survived by his wife". Source: ODMP

Chief of Police James Washington Kirwin

Crisfield Police Department

End of Watch Friday, April 18th, 1930

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



Sincerely,
Delmarva Supports Law Enforcement

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Eastern Shore of Maryland LODD: Deputy William Outten, Worcester County Sheriff's Office

Today is the first post honoring the fallen officers of Maryland's eastern shore. We will be sharing one of the names each day for the next 35 days to acknowledge those lost in the line of duty from the nine counties which make up our area of Delmarva. This is the first name inscribed on the memorial wall in Rhodesdale, MD however due to the date it is not listed on the ODMP.org website.

Remembering Deputy William Outten

Worcester County Sheriff's Office

EOW: February 6th, 1759

September 7th, 2017 | Update on Thank a Police Officer Day on Delmarva

On July 19th I wrote a note which provided a brief description about a date coming up in September. Although it was a little early to put out all the details I hoped to reach some new folks this year and also make sure that everyone had time to get involved with our efforts, and despite a slow start some of the folks who have been involved for the past year or two voiced their support again for this year. I felt pretty hopeful that we’d find more interested parties along with way but July faded away and August came and went and no one seemed interested. Some of the people I had been connected to backed away from the project, leaving me to wonder if it was reluctance to participate with a public effort and perhaps they preferred to plan their own type of event. Which is great; the hope is just that our officers are recognized and it certainly doesn’t need to be with us or anything of the sort. While the thoughts of perhaps being able to visit every department across the Delmarva Peninsula was probably a bit ambitious, the goal was to at least connect again with each of the 70+ agencies from 2016. And suddenly, it was the day after Labor Day and I began to doubt we’d even make that number.

Thank A Police Officer Day 2016 | Treats, Goody Bags and Ideas!

Thank A Police Officer Day is coming up on September 17th, 2016 and once again we will be visiting a number of agencies in our area. Here are some of the ideas we have been discussing in a group as we plan for the goodies and surprises to be delivered to local departments on that day.