Timonium, MD — The 37th annual Fallen Heroes Day observance will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, May 6, 2022, at the Fallen Heroes Memorial at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. The event honors police, firefighters, and emergency medical/rescue personnel who have died in the line of duty, and is the only statewide ceremony in the nation that brings together all segments of the public safety community.

 

The ceremony is open to the public with limited tent seating. Family members of those being honored will be in attendance. The observance will adhere to any Maryland/Baltimore County Covid guidelines in place at the time of the event. The ceremony will also be live-streamed.

 

Delivering memorial addresses will be Lt. Governor Boyd K. Rutherford and Baltimore County Executive John Olszewski, Jr. Award winning journalist and WJZ news anchor, Denise Koch, will be the keynote speaker. Artist and local broadcaster Mary Beth Marsden will serve as the emcee.

 

“I am honored to be representing our administration at this ceremony, as we memorialize the men and women who died while bravely serving our great state,” said Lt. Governor Rutherford. “Thank you to all of our fallen heroes and their families for the sacrifices they’ve made to protect us.”

 

Traditionally, Fallen Heroes Day is held each year on the first Friday in May, as flags are flown at half-staff at the State House and all state facilities. The day is an opportunity for the public to show their appreciation for those who risk their lives every day to serve Maryland.

 

The following fallen heroes will be remembered on May 6, 2022:

 

Chief Nicholas C. Finamore of the Prince George’s County Fire Department died from Covid-19 complications on January 5, 2021. A decorated veteran of the U.S. Army, Chief Finamore was a fire chief with more than 50 years of combined career and volunteer firefighting experience. Throughout his career, he earned numerous awards for heroic actions, including the PGFD Gold Medal of Valor. Nick Finamore was the Chief of the Allentown Road Volunteer Fire Department and the Volunteer Operations Commander for the Prince George’s County Fire Department at the time of his passing.

 

Lieutenant William A. Sheffield of the Baltimore City Fire Department died on January 27, 2021, after losing his battle with Covid-19. An outstanding firefighter and fire officer, the 28-year veteran of the fire service was a highly esteemed colleague and friend. Throughout his career, Lt. Sheffield was a mentor to his fellow firefighters, particularly in his capacity as a Fire Investigator and as a Safety Officer. He was stationed at Engine 35 where he remained till his passing.

 

Director of Field Operations Beverly Good of the U.S. Dept of Homeland Security – Customs and Border Protection/ Office of Field Operations, Baltimore, died on January 28, 2021. Director Good, whose distinguished career spanned 30 years in service to our nation, succumbed to COVID-19. An expert in her field, Director Good was recognized for her exemplary work and her dedication to the mission of the CBP.

 

Corporal Keith A. Heacook of the Delmar Police Department died April 28, 2021. Corporal Heacook succumbed to injuries sustained on April 25, 2021, when he was brutally assaulted after responding to a fight in progress. Keith Heacook was first on the scene and was ambushed by the assailant. Corporal Heacook, a highly respected officer and dedicated public servant, was a 22-year veteran of the Delmar Police Department.

 

Battalion Chief Joshua D. Laird of the Frederick County Division of Fire and Rescue Services died on August 11, 2021, as a result of injuries sustained while battling a two-alarm house fire in Ijamsville. Battalion Chief Laird fell into a basement from the first floor while fighting the fire. An exemplary first responder, he was a highly decorated 21-year veteran of the fire company and recipient of the Silver Medal of Bravery.

 

Firefighter/EMT Kelly W. Frye, a 26-year veteran of the City of Cumberland Fire Department passed away on Wednesday, September 29, 2021, after succumbing to Covid-19. An outstanding emergency responder who approached his work with great compassion and care, he began his firefighting service with Shaft Volunteer Fire Department. He also lent his talents as one of the designers of the 100-year uniform patch for the Cumberland Fire Department. FF/EMT Frye was also a life member at Frostburg Volunteer Fire Department.

 

Police Officer Keona S. Holley of the Baltimore Police Department died on December 23, 2021. Officer Holley succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained on December 16, 2021, when she was ambushed in her patrol car during an overnight shift in Curtis Bay. Her unwavering commitment to helping others led her to a career in law enforcement. A much admired and respected member of the department, Officer Holley served proudly with the Baltimore City Police for two years.

 

Battalion Chief Christopher D. Morlan, a 23-year veteran of the Frederick County Division of Fire and Rescue Services died on December 23, 2021, after succumbing to Covid-19. Chief Morlan was a highly decorated firefighter, having received a Gold Medal of Valor, two Life Saving Awards, and several unit citations over his 23-year career. Prior to his fire career, Chris was an active volunteer member of the Mt. Rainier Volunteer Department Company 3 in Prince Georges County.

 

Police Officer Gregory M. Santangelo of the Frederick Police Department died on December 28, 2021, after experiencing complications from COVID-19. Officer Santangelo, a United States Marine Corps veteran, served eight years with the Frederick City Police Department and had previously served 13 years with the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office. A member of the Patrol Squad A, he then went on to become an outstanding lead instructor at the FPD Training Academy where he trained and mentored countless officers throughout the state.

 

Paramedic/Firefighter Robert “Bobby” A. Jones of the Reese & Community Volunteer Fire Company died January 20, 2022, due to complications from COVID-19. A highly respected career firefighter/paramedic and engineer, Robert Jones served the citizens of our state for 40 years. His commitment to fire service started in Baltimore County when he joined the Woodlawn Volunteer Fire Co. in 1978 where he remained a life member until his death. He also volunteered at the Lansdowne Volunteer Fire Company and the Cape St. Clair Volunteer Fire Company.

 

Lt. Paul Butrim, Lt. Kelsey Sadler and EMT/Firefighter Kenneth Lacayo of the Baltimore City Fire Department died on January 24, 2022, while battling a fire in a vacant row house in the Mount Clare neighborhood. On their way to the rowhouse fire, they received the dispatch that someone was trapped inside the building. The firefighters became trapped when the structure collapsed during the fire.

 

Lt. Paul R. Butrim, a 16-year veteran of the Baltimore City Fire Department, began his career as a member of the Joppa Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company. An exemplary first responder, he became a Baltimore City firefighter in 2006 and quickly rose through the ranks. Lt. Butrim was the recipient of an Award of Valor after saving a child in an apartment blaze in 2015.

 

Lt. Kelsey R. Sadler was a 15-year veteran of the Baltimore City Fire Department. A natural leader, she was the heart and soul of engine company 14. An exceptionally knowledgeable and skilled firefighter and paramedic, Lt. Sadler had also served the Phoenix, Maryland community as a member of the Jacksonville Volunteer Fire Company.

 

Firefighter/Paramedic Kenneth “Kenny” A. Lacayo joined the Baltimore City Fire Department in 2014 and epitomized excellence, compassion, and bravery as a member of Engine 14. He was also a life member of the Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad where he was named Paramedic of the Year and a top ten emergency responder.

 

Firefighter/EMT Wayne V. Fisher, a 9-year veteran of the Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Foundation, passed away suddenly from a medical emergency on February 6, 2022, while on duty at the Darlington Volunteer Fire Company. “Fish,” as he was known, was a former volunteer at the Owings Mills Volunteer Fire Company in Baltimore County. He also served in the Eureka Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Company in Pennsylvania. EMT Fisher was an outstanding first responder who was deeply committed to the fire service.

 

Firefighter Janet H. Holbrook, of the Whiteford Volunteer Fire Company, passed away on February 22, 2022, after returning home from an emergency call. The highly respected and dedicated Harford County firefighter had 25 years of service and held numerous key administrative positions throughout her tenure. She was recently re-elected to the Secretary position for 2022.

 

The ceremony recognizes one firefighter and police officer who died in the line of duty before Fallen Heroes Day was established. This year we will honor:

 

Baltimore City Police Detective Richard Bosak, who was shot and killed on April 18, 1968, while attempting to arrest a suspect who had escaped custody. Detective Bosak, a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII, was assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division at the time of his death.

 

Anne Arundel County Firefighter John F. Balcer, who died on April 9, 1970, when responding to a call of a house fire. While enroute, the fire truck skidded, and FF Balcer was flung underneath the truck as it overturned. A veteran of the U.S. Army, John Balcer joined the fire department in 1968.

 

“Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens is privileged to be the home of Maryland’s Fallen Heroes Memorial,” said Jack Mitchell, President of Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. “Fallen Heroes Day provides an opportunity for the citizens of Maryland to take time to show our appreciation for the men and women who risk their lives each day when they report to work. It is with profound respect and reverence that we will gather on May 6 to honor Maryland’s brave and dedicated first responders.”

 

The ceremony will be live-streamed at 1:00 p.m. on the Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/dulaneyvalleymemorialgardens.

The taped version of the ceremony will be available on the Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens website www.dulaneyvalley.com.

 

The event will open with a procession of honor guard units from across the state, mounted units, and motorcycle police. The families of the fallen heroes will be presented with a replica of the Fallen Heroes Memorial and a resolution from the Maryland General Assembly. The ceremony will conclude with a wreath placement, followed by a 21-gun salute, Taps and a fly-over. The bell that is housed on Maryland’s 9/11 Rolling Memorial will toll as we honor each of the fallen heroes and all Maryland’s first responders who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

 

Currently, 78 members of the public safety community are buried at the Fallen Heroes Memorial. Including this year’s observance, a total of 211 Fallen Heroes will have been honored at the annual ceremony. A list of all fallen heroes honored since the ceremony began 37 years ago can be found at www.dulaneyvalley.com.

 

History: In 1976, Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens set aside burial spaces for fallen heroes and their spouses. The first observance of Fallen Heroes Day was May 16, 1986. It was later moved to the first Friday in May. In 2007, the 70-acre cemetery 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 the Fallen Heroes Day ceremony.