Maryland’s Finest Killed in the Line of Duty

MDSP Annual Fallen Heroes Ceremony
MDSP Annual Fallen Heroes Ceremony
MSP Trooper Badge Shrouded Image

Our Fallen Heroes

NameEnd of WatchCause of DeathDetails
Deputy Chief Fire Marshal Sander Benjamin Cohen2017-12-08Struck by VehicleView Details
Trooper First Class Shaft S. Hunter2011-05-21 00:00:00Automobile AccidentView Details
Trooper First Class Wesley W. Brown2010-06-11 00:00:00GunfireView Details
Trooper First Class Mickey C. Lippy2008-09-28 00:00:00Aircraft AccidentView Details
Pilot - Corporal (Ret.) Stephen H. Bunker2008-09-28 00:00:00Aircraft AccidentView Details
Trooper First Class Anthony Jones2004-05-09 00:00:00Struck by VehicleView Details
Corporal Edward M. Toatley2000-10-30 00:00:00GunfireView Details
Trooper Raymond G. Armstead, Jr.1998-03-25 00:00:00Automobile AccidentView Details
Trooper First Class Joseph T. Lanzi, Sr.1995-10-28 00:00:00Automobile AccidentView Details
Trooper First Class Edward A. Plank, Jr.1995-10-17 00:00:00GunfireView Details
Trooper First Class Mark P. Groner1992-10-01 00:00:00Automobile AccidentView Details
Corporal Theodore D. Wolf, Sr.1990-03-29 00:00:00GunfireView Details
Trooper First Class Eric D. Monk1988-04-09 00:00:00Struck by VehicleView Details
Trooper Larry E. Small1987-03-10 00:00:00Automobile AccidentView Details
Trooper First Class John E. Sawa1987-03-10 00:00:00Automobile AccidentView Details
Trooper First Class Carey S. Poetzman1986-01-19 00:00:00Aircraft AccidentView Details
Corporal Gregory A. May1986-01-19 00:00:00Aircraft AccidentView Details
Trooper Gary L. Wade1982-01-30 00:00:00Struck by VehicleView Details
Trooper First Class William P. Mills, Jr.1979-06-08 00:00:00GunfireView Details
Trooper Gregg A. Presbury, Sr.1977-12-17 00:00:00GunfireView Details
Sergeant Wallace J. Mowbray1975-08-10 00:00:00GunfireView Details
Trooper Mart Hudson, Jr.1975-06-16 00:00:00Struck by VehicleView Details
Trooper Milton V. Purnell, Jr.1975-05-29 00:00:00Automobile AccidentView Details
Trooper First Class Charles S. Rathell1973-09-18 00:00:00Aircraft AccidentView Details
Trooper First Class Donald E. Parkerson, Jr.1973-09-18 00:00:00Aircraft AccidentView Details
Trooper First Class Phillip L. Russ1972-10-28 00:00:00Aircraft AccidentView Details
Trooper First Class Thomas A. Noyle1972-10-28 00:00:00Aircraft AccidentView Details
Trooper First Class Arthur W. Plummer, Jr.1961-04-09 00:00:00Aircraft AccidentView Details
Lieutenant Leonard N. Brown1958-07-07 00:00:00GunfireView Details
Trooper First Class Lauren M. Ridge1950-07-14 00:00:00GunfireView Details
Quartermaster Sergeant Ellsworth D. Dryden1938-10-07 00:00:00Motorcycle AccidentView Details
Officer J.F. Leo Shaab1937-07-22 00:00:00Motorcycle AccidentView Details
Quartermaster Sergeant Wilbert V. Hunter1936-02-07 00:00:00DrownedView Details
Officer First Class Carroll C. Creeger1934-12-23 00:00:00Motorcycle AccidentView Details
Officer Joseph E. Kuhn1934-04-08 00:00:00Motorcycle AccidentView Details
Officer First Class Imla D. Hubbard1933-03-04 00:00:00Motorcycle AccidentView Details
Officer Theodore A. Moore1932-09-25 00:00:00Motorcycle AccidentView Details
Officer Clinton R. Rhodes1931-01-28 00:00:00Motorcycle AccidentView Details
Officer James S. Noon1927-12-25 00:00:00Motorcycle AccidentView Details
Officer Albert E. Cramblitt1925-10-01 00:00:00Motorcycle AccidentView Details
Officer Hugh K. Painter1924-03-30 00:00:00Motorcycle AccidentView Details
Officer Raymond P. Eicholtz1923-05-27 00:00:00Motorcycle AccidentView Details
Officer William C. Lochner1923-04-20 00:00:00Motorcycle AccidentView Details
Officer John W. Jeffrey1921-09-01 00:00:00Motorcycle AccidentView Details

Maryland State Police Fallen Heroes Ceremony 2025

MDSP Annual Fallen Heroes Ceremony
MDSP Annual Fallen Heroes Ceremony

May 7, 2025 1100 hours – Pikesville, MD

The Maryland State Police held the Annual Fallen Hero Ceremony honoring forty-six of Maryland’s Finest that paid the ultimate sacrifice serving our state and country. This includes 43 Maryland Troopers, 1 MSP Deputy Fire Marshall, and two veterans that were killed during WWII.

The honorable Maryland Lt. Governor Aruna Miller gave a beautiful message to the guests in attendance. Colonel Roland Butler paid respects to three of the fallen that were killed in the line of duty a half century ago. This included Tpr. Milton Purnell, Tpr. Mart Hudson, and Sgt. Wallace Mowbray. These heroes were killed in the line of duty in 1975 while serving as officers for the department.

Colonel Butler indicated that one of the most important duties that the department has is to honor the fallen heroes. The attendance at the ceremony was in excess of 200. This only reiterates that our heroes and their families are “Never Forgotten”.

MDSP Annual Fallen Heroes Ceremony
MDSP Annual Fallen Heroes Ceremony

The President of Maryland Concerns of Police Survivors, Mrs. Lynne Parry was recognized for her support to the families and survivors of line of duty tragedies. C.O.P.S. is the organization that supports the families after a loss. Their mission is to help rebuild the shattered lives of survivors of law enforcement line of duty deaths.

The roll call of the fallen was recited by Western Region Commander Capt. Brian Smith. The ceremony concluded with a Rifle Salute by the Maryland State Police Rifle Team, followed by “Taps” performed by First Sgt. Joe Wilson. 

Memorial flags were presented to each family by members of the Maryland State Police Alumni Association. Each year the Alumni Association provides a remembrance gift to the fallen families.

The Maryland Troopers Association sponsored a delicious lunch facilitated by Mission BBQ Catering in Glen Burnie, MD. 

Support Mission BBQ all over the state. They support law enforcement, first responders, and the military. Sales from their “Heroes Cup” go to organizations including Maryland  COPS.

Thanks to the MSPAA and the MTA for their commitment to our fallen heroes and their families.

MDSP Annual Fallen Heroes Ceremony
MDSP Annual Fallen Heroes Ceremony

Governor’s Photo Gallery – FALLEN HEROES – May 7, 2025

Photographers: Joe Andrucyk, Amy Hager, and David Iden.