Howard County Police held a memorial ceremony Thursday to honor the seven officers who lost their lives in the line of duty while serving the county.
Family members of the fallen officers joined local officials to honor their loved ones as part of National Police Week.
The following officers were remembered during the wreath-laying ceremony:
- Maryland State Police Trooper Shaft S. Hunter, who was killed in 2011 in a collision during a vehicle pursuit.
- Cpl. Scott Wheeler, who was struck by a speeding motorist in 2007 while conducting speed enforcement.
- Recruit Officer Roger D. Cassell Jr., who died in 1994 after a physical exercise at the HCPD academy.
- Maryland State Police Cpl. Theodore D. Wolf Sr., who was shot in 1990 during a traffic stop of two men smuggling drugs in a stolen vehicle.
- Officer Randolph E. Brightwell Sr., who was shot in 1961 during a traffic stop of two men who had just robbed and killed a gas station attendant.
- Deputy Sheriff Frank J. Miller, who died of a heart attack in 1946 after struggling with a prisoner.
- Constable Charles T. Weber, who died in 1924 after being dragged alongside a speeding vehicle.
The chief of police unveiled a new "blue line" painted in front of police headquarters to honor and support law enforcement. Members of the department also participated in a memorial ride that passed the sites where each of the officers died.
