Fallen Heroes Day

Fallen Heroes Day is an event designed to celebrate the lives of those special people who during a moment of conflict run towards the danger rather than simply running away. The state of Maryland is the only state that sets up a special day to honor these heroes. Maryland’s police officers and firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty were honored on this day of reflection.

There was a personal connection for this year’s ceremony in that one of the special past heroes was my dear old friend, my darkroom buddy, and my brother-in-law. Fred and I both were discharged from the army in the fall of ’69. I chose to enter college to begin my life as a teacher, and Fred joined the Baltimore city police department to begin and support his new young family. One day during my university senior year tragedy struck. During a supposedly routine traffic stop, Fred pulled over a suspect, a confrontation ensued and Fred was killed with his own gun.

During the ceremony this day, Fred was one of five past heroes to be honored. His daughter and sister received a special plaque from the mayor of Baltimore and the Baltimore City Police Commissioner in his honor.

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