The mood was somber, and the air filled with admiration on Friday in Timonium as public safety officials, politicians and their families observed Maryland?s 21st annual Fallen Heroes Day.
This year?s event at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens paid special tribute to the four police officers, a correctional officer and a volunteer firefighter who died or were killed in the line of duty since early last May.
“Please know the legacy they left behind will be forever remembered,” Maryland first lady Kendel Ehrlich told the crowd.
“Their memory will serve as a beacon of service and selflessness,” said keynote speaker Ronald Shapiro, lawyer, sports agent and author of the new book “The Power of Nice.”
Hundreds of state and local police attended this year?s event, which included short memorial addresses intermingled with musical selections performed by the Hereford High School Chamber Choir and several adult musicians.
“As citizens of Maryland, the shared loss of these brave men must be met with shared gratitude,” said Baltimore County Executive James Smith, whose police department has lost two officers in the line of duty since the beginning of the year. He added that this year?s six fallen heroes “lived and died serving justice.”
Baltimore Mayor Martin O?Malley?s voice trembled as he said, “There is nothing so profoundly sad and profoundly noble” as the line of service funeral, adding that he had come to Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens “so many times.”
The cemetery set aside 330 burial spaces in 1976 for what its founder John Armiger Sr. called Maryland?s fallen heroes.
Since that time 30 years ago, 47 members of Maryland?s public safety community have been buried at the Gardens? Fallen Heroes Memorial.
Families of public safety officials honored in past years were also present at Friday?s ceremony.
“It?s like we are all one family,” said Helen Renshaw, whose brother Henry Rayner of the Baltimore County Fire Department, died while serving the county in 1984.
Dying honorably
» Sgt. Steven Gaughan, Prince George?s County Police Department, June 21, 2005
» Chief Joseph W. Buckel, Bittinger Volunteer Fire Co., Garrett County, June 23, 2005
» Officer Grant F. Turner, Maryland Transportation Authority Police, July 16, 2005
» Officer Jeffery Allan Wroten, Maryland Division of Correction, Jan. 27, 2006
» Officer Russell Anthony Hamer, Baltimore County Police Department, Feb. 4, 2006
» Officer George T. Arrington, Baltimore County Police Department, March 7, 2006
