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.
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.
On April 24th we began a project to acknowledge each of the law enforcement officers from the eastern shore of Maryland. As of today we are about halfway through the list of names, having posted one at a time along with their information and a simple memorial image. To honor the fallen, we will be partnering with a local organization for their "Blue Line Ride" this Saturday, May 12th leaving from Willards, MD at noon.
At the ride, hosted by Hogs and Heroes Foundation, Inc. MD-8, the first 35 people to register will receive a card representing each name from the eastern shore, so in this way they will ride in memory of one of the fallen. Part of the idea came from the card you see here, given to the riders of America's 9/11 Ride several years ago. Upon reaching Ground Zero the person carrying this card went to locate Mr. Vialonga's name on the memorial as well to read about him in the museum. We thought this process would provide the the riders at the Blue Line Ride with a personal connection to a name.
We hope you can join the event on Saturday. All are welcome to join in the ride or simply come out to show your support during remarks, remembrance of the fallen and moment of silence.
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
Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest
Sunday, April 29, 2018: The sixth officer we acknowledge today was from Somerset County, Maryland.
"Deputy Lewis Dryden was shot and killed as he and a Princess Anne police officer attempted to serve an arrest on a man who had shot his stepfather. The officers encountered the suspect walking down the street, carrying the shotgun he had used in the previous shooting. As they attempted to take him into custody the man was able to obtain control of Deputy Dryden's pistol and fatally shot him. He then shot and wounded the Princess Anne police officer before fleeing. The suspect was arrested several days later. He was convicted of Deputy Dryden's murder and sentenced to life in prison. Deputy Dryden was survived by his wife." Source: ODMP.org
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.
