| The Maryland Fallen Heroes Day, which marked its 30th year, held its annual ceremony at 1 PM on Friday, June 12, 2015. About 1,500 people gathered at this year's event which was held at the Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens in Baltimore, to pay tribute to Maryland public safety workers who have died in the line of duty. This year's ceremony honored three firefighters and three police officers from around the state:
--Robert Fogle III of the Baltimore County Fire Department, who died May 30, 2014, of cardiac arrest during a training exercise.
--Lt. James Bethea of the Baltimore City Fire Department, who died Nov. 12 of smoke inhalation at the scene of a fire.
--Cpl. Jamel Clagett of the Charles County Sheriff's Office, who died Dec. 21 in a car accident.
--Paramedic Erik Steciak of the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company, who died Jan. 6 after being struck by a vehicle that slid on ice at the scene of an accident.
--Baltimore Officer Craig Chandler, who died Jan. 9 after sustaining injuries in a November crash that occurred during a pursuit of illegal dirt bikes
--Officer First Class Brennan Rabain of the Prince George's County Police Department, who died March 7 in a vehicle crash that occurred during a traffic stop.
Nearly 150 public safety personnel, including 25 honor guard units, stood at attention in uniform. The two-hour event opened with a bagpipe accompanied procession, the national anthem and an invocation. Then, remarks and songs by local officials and residents, a 21-gun salute and the laying of a wreath.
The members and Officers of the Union Bridge Fire Company extend our condolences to the family and friends of these individuals who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. God bless them all. |
