Maryland’s Finest Killed in the Line of Duty
Our Fallen Heroes
| Name | End of Watch | Cause of Death | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deputy Chief Fire Marshal Sander Benjamin Cohen | 2017-12-08 | Struck by Vehicle | View Details |
| Trooper First Class Shaft S. Hunter | 2011-05-21 00:00:00 | Automobile Accident | View Details |
| Trooper First Class Wesley W. Brown | 2010-06-11 00:00:00 | Gunfire | View Details |
| Trooper First Class Mickey C. Lippy | 2008-09-28 00:00:00 | Aircraft Accident | View Details |
| Pilot - Corporal (Ret.) Stephen H. Bunker | 2008-09-28 00:00:00 | Aircraft Accident | View Details |
| Trooper First Class Anthony Jones | 2004-05-09 00:00:00 | Struck by Vehicle | View Details |
| Corporal Edward M. Toatley | 2000-10-30 00:00:00 | Gunfire | View Details |
| Trooper Raymond G. Armstead, Jr. | 1998-03-25 00:00:00 | Automobile Accident | View Details |
| Trooper First Class Joseph T. Lanzi, Sr. | 1995-10-28 00:00:00 | Automobile Accident | View Details |
| Trooper First Class Edward A. Plank, Jr. | 1995-10-17 00:00:00 | Gunfire | View Details |
| Trooper First Class Mark P. Groner | 1992-10-01 00:00:00 | Automobile Accident | View Details |
| Corporal Theodore D. Wolf, Sr. | 1990-03-29 00:00:00 | Gunfire | View Details |
| Trooper First Class Eric D. Monk | 1988-04-09 00:00:00 | Struck by Vehicle | View Details |
| Trooper Larry E. Small | 1987-03-10 00:00:00 | Automobile Accident | View Details |
| Trooper First Class John E. Sawa | 1987-03-10 00:00:00 | Automobile Accident | View Details |
| Trooper First Class Carey S. Poetzman | 1986-01-19 00:00:00 | Aircraft Accident | View Details |
| Corporal Gregory A. May | 1986-01-19 00:00:00 | Aircraft Accident | View Details |
| Trooper Gary L. Wade | 1982-01-30 00:00:00 | Struck by Vehicle | View Details |
| Trooper First Class William P. Mills, Jr. | 1979-06-08 00:00:00 | Gunfire | View Details |
| Trooper Gregg A. Presbury, Sr. | 1977-12-17 00:00:00 | Gunfire | View Details |
| Sergeant Wallace J. Mowbray | 1975-08-10 00:00:00 | Gunfire | View Details |
| Trooper Mart Hudson, Jr. | 1975-06-16 00:00:00 | Struck by Vehicle | View Details |
| Trooper Milton V. Purnell, Jr. | 1975-05-29 00:00:00 | Automobile Accident | View Details |
| Trooper First Class Charles S. Rathell | 1973-09-18 00:00:00 | Aircraft Accident | View Details |
| Trooper First Class Donald E. Parkerson, Jr. | 1973-09-18 00:00:00 | Aircraft Accident | View Details |
| Trooper First Class Phillip L. Russ | 1972-10-28 00:00:00 | Aircraft Accident | View Details |
| Trooper First Class Thomas A. Noyle | 1972-10-28 00:00:00 | Aircraft Accident | View Details |
| Trooper First Class Arthur W. Plummer, Jr. | 1961-04-09 00:00:00 | Aircraft Accident | View Details |
| Lieutenant Leonard N. Brown | 1958-07-07 00:00:00 | Gunfire | View Details |
| Trooper First Class Lauren M. Ridge | 1950-07-14 00:00:00 | Gunfire | View Details |
| Quartermaster Sergeant Ellsworth D. Dryden | 1938-10-07 00:00:00 | Motorcycle Accident | View Details |
| Officer J.F. Leo Shaab | 1937-07-22 00:00:00 | Motorcycle Accident | View Details |
| Quartermaster Sergeant Wilbert V. Hunter | 1936-02-07 00:00:00 | Drowned | View Details |
| Officer First Class Carroll C. Creeger | 1934-12-23 00:00:00 | Motorcycle Accident | View Details |
| Officer Joseph E. Kuhn | 1934-04-08 00:00:00 | Motorcycle Accident | View Details |
| Officer First Class Imla D. Hubbard | 1933-03-04 00:00:00 | Motorcycle Accident | View Details |
| Officer Theodore A. Moore | 1932-09-25 00:00:00 | Motorcycle Accident | View Details |
| Officer Clinton R. Rhodes | 1931-01-28 00:00:00 | Motorcycle Accident | View Details |
| Officer James S. Noon | 1927-12-25 00:00:00 | Motorcycle Accident | View Details |
| Officer Albert E. Cramblitt | 1925-10-01 00:00:00 | Motorcycle Accident | View Details |
| Officer Hugh K. Painter | 1924-03-30 00:00:00 | Motorcycle Accident | View Details |
| Officer Raymond P. Eicholtz | 1923-05-27 00:00:00 | Motorcycle Accident | View Details |
| Officer William C. Lochner | 1923-04-20 00:00:00 | Motorcycle Accident | View Details |
| Officer John W. Jeffrey | 1921-09-01 00:00:00 | Motorcycle Accident | View Details |
Maryland State Police Fallen Heroes Ceremony 2025
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”.
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.
Governor’s Photo Gallery – FALLEN HEROES – May 7, 2025
Photographers: Joe Andrucyk, Amy Hager, and David Iden.