Honoring fallen heroes
The annual Fallen Heroes Day is scheduled for May 1 at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens in Timonium. Here is some background and a list of law enforcement officials to be honored, sent by the spokesperson for Dulaney Valley:
ANNUAL FALLEN HEROES DAY TO HONOR 8 WHO DIED IN LINE OF DUTY
Matt Stover, Baltimore Ravens, to Deliver Keynote Address
Maryland’s police officers and firefighters who have died in the line of duty during the past year will be honored at the 24th Annual Fallen Heroes Day Ceremony on Friday, May 1, 2009, 1:00 p.m. at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. Fallen Heroes Day is the only statewide ceremony in the nation that brings together all segments of the public safety community. The ceremony salutes police and correctional officers, firefighters, emergency medical and rescue personnel who risk their lives everyday to protect the citizens of Maryland.
Fallen Heroes Day 2009 will honor the following: Sgt. Richard Findley, Prince George’s County Police Dept. (June 27, 2008); Lt. Michael P. Howe, Baltimore County Police Dept. (August 11, 2008); Pilot Stephen Bunker, Maryland State Police (September 28, 2008); TFC Mickey C. Lippy, Maryland State Police (September 28, 2008); EMT Tonya Mallard, Waldorf Volunteer Fire Dept. (September 28, 2008); PMFF Brian D. Neville, Baltimore County Fire Dept. (October 16, 2008); Officer Richard Bremer, Frederick City Police Dept. (October 23, 2008) and FADO Thomas E. Rice, Baltimore County Fire Dept. (January 21, 2009).
The ceremony will begin with a procession of more than 25 honor guard units from across the state, police motorcycles and mounted units, bagpipers and drummers. Memorial addresses will be given by elected leaders including, Governor Martin O’Malley, Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith and Prince George’s County Executive Jack Johnson. Matt Stover of the Baltimore Ravens will be the special guest speaker and Mary Beth Marsden of ABC 2NEWS will serve as the emcee.
“The 2009 Fallen Heroes Day ceremony truly captures the essence of this occasion, as we honor a Maryland State Police pilot, and an emergency medical technician along with three police officers and three firefighters,” said John O. Mitchell, III Chairman of Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. “It is an opportunity for the public to show its appreciation and respect for all men and women of the public safety community. When the community suffers the loss of one of these dedicated public servants we are reminded of the incredible risk that they face each day when they report to work.”
In 1976, 330 burial spaces at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens were set aside for fallen heroes and their spouses by John Armiger, Sr. founder of the cemetery. In 1986 John Armiger, Jr. established the tradition of honoring those who have given their lives for the community in the only statewide ceremony for fallen heroes. In June 2007, Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens was purchased by John O. Mitchell III of the family-owned Mitchell-Wiedefeld Funeral Home in Rogers Forge/Towson, MD. The Mitchell family is proud to continue the tradition of Fallen Heroes Day. Fifty-nine members of the public safety community are buried at the Fallen Heroes Memorial.
Keeping with tradition, Governor Martin O’Malley has issued a proclamation declaring May 1, 2009 Fallen Heroes Day in Maryland and has ordered flags flown at half-staff at the State House and all state facilities. During the service, a replica of the Fallen Heroes Memorial and a resolution from the Maryland General Assembly will be presented to the families of the fallen heroes being honored this year.
The Fallen Heroes Memorial is located within Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens, 200 East Padonia Road, Timonium, MD 21093.
Here are details on some being remembered:
Sergeant Richard Findley a 10-year veteran of the Prince George’s County Police Department died when he was struck and dragged by a driver in a stolen pickup truck. Sergeant Findley, who was on surveillance at the time, was attempting to arrest the driver of the truck, when he was fatally injured. The 39-year-old officer was also a volunteer firefighter with the Beltsville Volunteer Fire Department. He is survived by this wife and two daughters.
Lieutenant Michael P. Howe a commander of the Baltimore County Police Department’s Tactical Unit suffered a massive stroke after returning home from a shift, during which he led an investigation into a murder-suicide. The 30-year veteran of the force had been with the unit since 1998 and was instrumental in the hostage negotiations during the 2000 Joseph Palczynski siege in Dundalk. Lieutenant Howe is survived by his wife and a stepson who is a detective in the Towson precinct. He was 55 years old at the time of his death.
Pilot Stephen Bunker, Civilian Pilot and Retired Corporal Maryland State Police Aviation Command, was killed last September when his helicopter crashed, in the fog, during a MedEvac operation of two critically injured car crash victims. Bunker began his career as a Trooper with the Maryland State Police in 1972. His interest in public service and love of aviation were combined when he became a pilot in 1984. During his career he earned numerous service honors including the “Hero Award” from the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center. Survived by wife and three children, Pilot Bunker was 59 at the time of his death.
Trooper First Class Mickey C. Lippy, Maryland State Police Aviation Command, was also killed in the September helicopter crash. The team was evacuating two critically injured teenagers from the accident scene in Charles County when they encountered severe weather. Trooper Lippy began his career as a firefighter/paramedic with Anne Arundel Fire Department and since 1994 served as an active member of the Owings Mills Fire Volunteer Company. A four-year veteran of the Maryland State Police, he spent the last two years as a flight paramedic assigned to Trooper 2, the busiest MedEvac helicopter in the United States. Trooper Lippy, who was 34 at the time of his death, is survived by his wife and baby daughter.
EMT Tonya Mallard of the Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department, was also a member of the team transporting two injured automobile accident victims to Prince George’s County’s shock trauma unit, by helicopter, when it crashed. Survived by her husband and two sons, EMT Mallard was 38 at the time of her death.
Paramedic/Firefighter Brian Neville of the Baltimore County Fire Department died while on-duty working as an EMS supervisor at the Texas fire station. An eight year veteran of the department, Neville was covering an overnight shift when he died. The 32-year-old, who was considered a role model for younger paramedics, leaves behind a wife and three young children.
Officer Richard Bremer of the Frederick City Police Department was killed while in pursuit of a suspected drunk driver. Officer Bremer, a 5-year veteran with the department began his public safety career as an officer with the Division of Corrections in Hagerstown. He was later employed by the Frederick County Sheriff’s Department as a case intake manager. Survived by his wife and three children, Officer Bremer was 39 at the time of his death.
Firefighter Thomas “TR” Rice of the Baltimore County Fire Department, who succumbed to pancreatic cancer in January, was given full fire department honors. The 44-year-old, who served the county for 28 years as both a volunteer and a career firefighter, was an expert Fire Apparatus Driver Operator and taught others the skill. Firefighter Rice is survived by his wife and two teenage children.
Comments
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This organization helps get cash money into the hands of families in the time of need and those who suffer the tragic loss of those who serve in the capacity of a policeman, firefighter or military. Created by Nagele, a former cop and EMT - http://HonoringHeroes.com
Posted by: Rachelj | July 3, 2009 4:15 PM
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Posted by: R. Walker | August 17, 2009 10:49 PM