The MSPAA sadly announces the recent passing of one of “Maryland’s Finest,” Sgt. Lionel “Hank” Howland, MDSP, Retired.
OBITUARY
Lionel Henry “Hank” Howland passed away on June 30, 2024. Hank was born July 22, 1944, at Hunter Army Airfield Hospital, Savannah, Georgia. He was the son of the late Clarisse Bernadette Jaudon Howland Harzer and Dorrance Perry Howland, Sr. Hank was the beloved husband of Marcia Anne Gardner. In addition to his wife, he leaves behind his two cherished daughters: Meghan Maureen Howland and Kaitlyn Jaudon Howland; an older brother Dorrance P. Howland, Jr., and brothers Karl H. Harzer., F. Christoph Harzer, and Jon Michael Harzer. In addition to his immediate family, he was fortunate to have been adopted by Marcia’s four children, her brothers, sister, and Marcia’s grandchildren. And let us not forget Hank’s special Blue Heeler, Zoey!
Henry attended public school in Laurel, MD thru the seventh grade, after which he attended Arundel High School in Gambrills, MD, graduating in 1962. In 1966 Hank joined the Maryland National Guard, 29th Infantry Division. In January 1967 Henry attended basic training at Fort Jackson in Columbia, SC, then advanced infantry training at Fort Ord, Monterey Bay, CA, where he was awarded Trainee of the Cycle. In 1984 Hank enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, serving with the Marine Safety Office, Baltimore, MD, then Search and Rescue Station, Still Pond, MD. During his service he attended Small Boat Coxswains training at the U.S. Coast Guard Training Center, Yorktown, VA, graduating first in his class.
On January 03, 1970, Henry entered the Maryland State Police (MSP) Academy. On June 23, 1970, Hank graduated with the Sixty-Fourth Maryland State Police Recruit Class, attaining a standing of seventh in the class. He was initially assigned to the Waterloo Barracks, routine patrol duties. After completing his probationary period, he was attached to the Tactical Emergency Unit (TAC Unit). During his tenure here his duties included riot control, anti-sniper training and utilization of special equipment, and vehicles during emergency situations. During Hurricane Agnus in 1972, Hank and another Trooper, Cpl. Wayne White, were responsible for rescuing 23 individuals that were in danger of drowning due to flooding of their group home. Also, while assigned to the TAC Unit, during a hostage situation at the Patuxent Correction Institute, Hank drove an armored car through a barred window at the Patuxent Correctional Institute thereby allowing fellow troopers access to free fifteen hostages.
Henry’s additional assignments while with the MSP included proactive investigations into organized gambling, vice, narcotics/drugs violations and finally assigned to the Criminal Intelligence Division.
After retiring from the MSP, Henry joined the Talbot County, MD State’s Attorney Office as the criminal investigator. His duties included interviewing witnesses (both for the prosecution and defense), conducting investigations as requested by the State’s Attorney and organization of cases in readiness for prosecution.
During Henry’s lifetime he enjoyed motorcycling, was an avid boater, SCUBA diving, hunting in West Virginia with his “Pop” Karl Harzer, cooking, and travel. “We’ll always have Paris.”
Henry was a member of Faith Presbyterian Church in Indian Land, SC and formerly a member of the First United Methodist Church of Laurel in Laurel, MD. He was also a member of The Laurel American Legion Post 60, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 69, The Maryland Troopers’ Association, and The Maryland State Police Alumni Association.
Along the way, Hank had several orthopedic surgeries and would always say to the doctors and those in attendance just before going under anesthesia, “See you on the other side!”
A Celebration of Life will be held at 4:00pm on Sunday, July 21, 2024, at Faith Presbyterian Church 7520 Charlotte Hwy Indian Land, SC 29707 and a Celebration of Life service will be held at 10:00am on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at Trinity United Methodist Church 1300 West St. Annapolis, MD 21401.
A private family burial will be held at the Veterans’ Cemetery, Crownsville, MD for Hank to rest with his comrades.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Tunnel for Towers. https://t2t.org/
Online condolences may be left at https://www.heritagecares.com/
SERVICES
Celebration of Life
JUL 21. 4:00 PM (ET)
Faith Presbyterian Church
7520 Charlotte Hwy
Indian Land, SC 29707
Celebration of Life and Faith
JUL 24. 10:00 AM (ET)
Trinity United Methodist Church
1300 West Street
Annapolis, MD 21401
