This week, I visited with Maryland State Police pilots, medics and maintenance workers at the aviation unit at Martin State Airport in Middle River. This is a family still grieving the loss of two of its members, along with another paramedic and a patient, when one of the MedEvac choppers crashed in September in Prince George's County.

Investigators have not determined a cause but have criticized air traffic controllers as being sloppy for not guiding the chopper properly and for providing outdated weather information during heavy fog. Changes also have been made to ensure that medics consult more often with trauma surgeons to make sure patients are suffering from traumatic injuries before calling for the helicopter.

Medevac pilots have one of the most dangerous jobs in the country, often flying under less-than-ideal conditions, having to quickly change routes without flight plants, performing high-altitude rescues and landing on highway overpasses and areas littered with power lines.

I spoke with several people, all of whom addressed the political issues, but they also talked from the heart about their committment to saving lives. We can debate all day whether some flights are unnecessary or whether the state would be better served by privatizing the unit, but there is no doubt that the crews I met believe the money Maryland spends on this program saves lives.

"It doesnt matter if you are a homeless person hit on I-95 or Donald Trump hit in his limo, you will get a helicopter and a committment from the state of Maryland to do everything to save your life," the operations director, Bill Bernard, told me.

I was most struck by David Rosenberger, who has spent 20 years repairing and inspecting the helicopters, and he knows the pilots and the crafts inside and out. He actually flies in them after he's fixed them, ensuring they are as safe as he can make them. "It's not just pride," he said, "It's a personal investment."

I met with this crew ahead of tomorrow's Fallen Heroes Day ceremony at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens in Timonium, an annual event to remember law enforcement officers from Maryland who died in the line of duty.

This year's ceremony, presided over the Ravens Matt Stover, will honor Prince George's County Sgt. Richard Findley, Baltimore County Lt. Michael P. Howe, Maryland State Police Pilot Stephen Bunker, MSP Trooper Mickey C. Lippy, Waldorf Volunteer EMT Tonya Mallard, Baltimore County Firefighters Brian D. Neville and Thomas E. Rice, Frederick City Police Officer Richard Bremer, and FBI Agent Sameul Hicks (the former Baltimore police officer was fatally shot in Pittsburgh).

The ceremony begins at 1 p.m. at the cemetery, 300 East Padonia Road in Timonium and is open to the public.