Observance honors the service and sacrifice of first responders
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Wes Moore today proclaimed May 5, 2023, as Fallen Heroes Day in Maryland. To honor the service and sacrifice of Maryland first responders, the governor ordered that the Maryland state flag be lowered to half-staff until sunset.
“Our fallen heroes lived lives of action. Their deeds speak louder than any words we could share today. Now, it is up to us to honor them with actions of our own,” said Gov. Moore. “To live how they lived: fearlessly – courageously – decisively. To carry forward the torch of service we’ve been given by our fallen heroes – though in their hands, the light was always brighter; to lift one another up, on our own shoulders – though theirs were always broader; to honor their heroism with daring of our own.”
Fallen Heroes Day, which is held each year on the first Friday in May, is an opportunity for the public to show their appreciation for those who risk their lives every day to protect the citizens of Maryland. The event honors Maryland police, firefighters, and emergency medical and rescue personnel who died in the line of duty.
Governor Moore delivered remarks at the 38th Annual Fallen Heroes Day Observance at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. Each year, the ceremony recognizes one firefighter and one police officer who died in the line of duty before Fallen Heroes Day was established.
This year honors:
Lt. John T. Killian, Jr., a 26-year veteran of the Baltimore City Fire Department. Lt. Killian, age 51, died on March 10, 1985, when the floor collapsed as he was battling a rowhouse fire on Hudson Street.
Lt. Colonel Harry L. George, a 25-year veteran of the Maryland Natural Resources Police. Lt. Colonel George, age 54, died on October 24, 1978, from injuries sustained two months earlier when a Maryland Department of Natural Resources plane crashed near Edgewater, Maryland.
Since 1986, 222 Fallen Heroes have been honored during the annual ceremony.
All Marylanders join in honoring the brave men and women who lost their lives in the line of duty.