On Friday, May 3, 2013, hundreds of law enforcement officers and firefighters, dignitaries and members of the community, family and friends will gather at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens for the 28th Annual Fallen Heroes Day, a day set-aside to honor and remember those who died in the line of duty. The 1:00 p.m. ceremony, which honors those whose deaths have been declared “line of duty” during the past year, is the only statewide ceremony in the nation that brings together all segments of the public safety community. Fallen Heroes Day salutes police and correctional officers, firefighters, emergency medical and rescue personnel who risk their lives everyday to protect the citizens of Maryland.

Since the May 2012 Fallen Heroes Day ceremony the deaths of five police officers, one correctional officer and one firefighter have been designated as line of duty. They are:

· Deputy First Class Teresa L. Testerman, Harford County Sheriff’s Office, November 29, 2010*

· Firefighter Christopher M. Staley, Cobb Island VFD, August 6, 2011*

· Officer William D. Talbert, Montgomery County Police Department, January 27, 2012*

· Private First Class Officer Adrian Morris, Prince George’s County Police Department, August 20, 2012

· Officer Forrest Taylor, Baltimore Police Department, August 29, 2012

· Corporal Charles B. Licato, Harford County Sheriff’s Office, September 6, 2012

· Sergeant Ian A. Loughran, Harford County Sheriff’s Office, September 13, 2012

* Line-of-duty designation declared since May 2012

The 28th Annual Fallen Heroes Day ceremony will begin with a procession of more than 25 honor guard units from across the state, police motorcycle and mounted units, bagpipers and drummers. Elected leaders including, Governor Martin O’Malley and Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz will give memorial addresses. Former Baltimore Orioles catcher and 1983 World Series MVP Rick Dempsey will be the special guest speaker and Mary Beth Marsden (WBAL Radio) will serve as the emcee. Additionally, Casey Brooks, the daughter of Corporal Courtney Brooks, honored as a Fallen Hero in 2008, will share a remembrance of her father. During the ceremony, the families of the 2013 Fallen Heroes will be presented with a replica of the Fallen Heroes memorial and the families of two previous fallen heroes (one police officer, one firefighter) will be presented with Governor’s Proclamations.

“Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens is privileged to be the home of Maryland’s Fallen Heroes Memorial,” said John O. Mitchell, III, Chairman of Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. “Beyond honoring those who have died in the line duty during the past year, Fallen Heroes Day provides an opportunity for the citizens of Maryland to take time to show appreciation and respect for the dedicated public servants who risk their lives each day when they report to work.”

In 1976, 330 burial spaces at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens were set-aside for fallen heroes and their spouses by John Armiger, Sr., founder of the cemetery. In 1986 John Armiger, Jr. established the tradition of honoring those who have given their lives for the community in the only statewide ceremony for fallen heroes. In June 2007, Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens was purchased by John O. Mitchell, III of the family-owned Mitchell-Wiedefeld Funeral Home in Rodgers Forge/Towson, MD. The Mitchell family is proud to continue the tradition of Fallen Heroes Day. Sixty-five members of the public safety community are buried at the Fallen Heroes Memorial.

Keeping with tradition, Governor Martin O’Malley has issued a proclamation declaring May 3, 2013 as Fallen Heroes Day in Maryland and has ordered flags flown at half-staff at the State House and all state facilities. During the service, a replica of the Fallen Heroes Memorial and a resolution from the Maryland General Assembly will be presented to the families of the fallen heroes being honored this year.

The Fallen Heroes Memorial is located within Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens, 200 East Padonia Road, Timonium, MD 21093. The observance is free and open to the public. For more information: 410-666-0490 or www.dulaneyvalley.com.

 
Maryland’s 2013 Fallen Heroes

Deputy First Class Teresa L. Testerman of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office died November 29, 2010 having suffered a fatal heart attack. The previous day, while on duty, she responded to unruly inmates in an overcrowded cellblock; and later, participated in a search of the cells for contraband weapons. When she returned home after the stressful shift, she experienced chest pains and collapsed. She had worked 24 years with the Harford County Sheriff’s Office where she also taught CPR and First Aid. Deputy Testerman was 54 at the time of her death. She is survived by two children.

Firefighter Christopher M. Staley of the Cobb Island Volunteer Fire Department died August 6, 2011 during an attempt to rescue a friend who was drowning in the Wicomico River. According to reports, Staley, who had been a member of the Department for six years, was Cobb Island’s most active young volunteer. In 2010, he was credited with responding on more rescue calls than any other member. Firefighter Staley is survived by his father who is also a volunteer with the Department. His death was ruled line of duty in 2012.

Officer William D. “Bill” Talbert of the Montgomery County Police Department died on January 27, 2012 of Hepatitis C contracted in 1983 through a blood transfusion necessitated after an accident involving a drunk driver. At the time of the 1983 accident, Officer Talbert was standing between his patrol car and another vehicle when a drunk driver struck one of the cars and pinned Talbert between them. He was taken to the hospital for a blood transfusion, which was infected with the disease. Officer Talbert had served with the Department for 13 years when he was forced to take a medical retirement in 1984. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, four children and 10 grandchildren. He was 64 at the time of his death.

Private First Class Officer Adrian A. Morris of the Prince George’s County Police Department, District VI, died on August 20, 2012 while pursuing a theft suspect on I-95. The 23-year-old native of Kingston Jamaica, who grew up in Laurel and became a U.S. citizen in 2009, had always dreamed of becoming a police officer. Prior to joining the force, he was a member of the Police Explorers and continued his affiliation with the group as a mentor. Known as “Baby Hercules” for his small stature and strong will, Morris served in the Department for 2 ½ years. He is survived by his mother.

Officer Forrest “Dino” Taylor of the Baltimore Police Department died August 29, 2012 from injuries sustained in a crash six months earlier. Taylor, a 17-year veteran of the Department was en route to assist a fellow officer when his cruiser was hit by a SUV in the Mt. Vernon area of the City. Following the accident, the officer who often walked foot patrol, required medical treatment and a surgery from which he did not recover. During his career with the Department he worked as a homicide detective and a violent crimes investigator. Officer Taylor is survived by his wife and two young children.

Corporal Charles B. Licato of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office was killed in a single vehicle crash on September 6, 2012 in Darlington as he was heading home from work. A 14-year veteran of the Department who was assigned to the Apprehension Unit, Corporal Licato came from a police family following in the footsteps of his father and brother. He was 34 at the time of his death and is survived by his parents.

Sergeant Ian A. Loughran of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office died on September 13, 2012 one week after fellow-officer Corporal Licato. Sgt. Loughran experienced symptoms of a heart attack while on-duty at the funeral and died later that evening at home. A 16-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office he was assigned to the Police Services Bureau, Patrol Division, Northern Precinct. Sgt. Loughran was 43 at the time of his death. His wife and young son survive him.