Two Deputy Sheriffs were shot and killed in my county yesterday...

[Beemerguy53]

I still can't believe this...

I live in Harford County, Maryland (home of the US Army's Aberdeen Proving Ground), which is northeast of Baltimore, and borders Pennsylvania to the north and the Susquehanna River and Chesapeake Bay to the east.

Despite phenomenal growth in recent decades, and a slight increase in crime, Harford County has retained its small-town feel for the most part. Folks know each other here. Generations are born and raised and work here. We feel safe and comfortable here. And yesterday, we were shattered and heartbroken.

Two Deputies from the Harford County Sheriff's Office (which is our countywide law enforcement agency) were shot and killed yesterday in a shopping center five miles from my home. The shooter was a 68 year old man with a couple of outstanding warrants, and the Deputies had gone to a local Panera Bread shop to take him into custody.

When they approached, he immediately shot Deputy Patrick Dailey in the head, killing him instantly, and during the foot pursuit and gunfight that ensued, he shot and killed Deputy Mark Logsdon. Other responding Deputies then killed the shooter.

Deputy Dailey, a former Marine, was a 30 year veteran of the Sheriff's Office, and a 37 year member of a local volunteer fire company. He is survived by his two sons, his girlfriend, and his mother. Deputy Logsdon, a US Army veteran, is survived by his wife and three children, and his parents.

Our Sheriff, Jeffrey Gahler, is a retired Maryland State Trooper and a good man. My heart was breaking for him yesterday as he had to make the one announcement that no public safety official ever wants to make...

Your prayers are appreciated at this terrible time...thanks.

Harford County Sheriff identifies deputies killed in Wednesday shooting - Baltimore Sun

 

[tekarra]

How tragic. May the two deputies rest in peace.

 

[Beemerguy53]

Here's a sidebar article from the Baltimore Sun on our two slain Deputies, and how they'd previously been honored for their heroism on the job...

Slain Harford Sheriff deputies Logsdon, Dailey were honored for valor - Baltimore Sun

 

[6518John]

There is one word for this--sickening. Who would think you need the SWAT team to arrest a 68 year old at Panera Bread. Our local store is a hang-out for wealthy housewives.

Police officers have to have the most dangerous job in the world. I have never served in the military--those of you who have served did your job so well there has never been a draft in my lifetime--but I would think when you are in a combat zone you are on guard all the time for being harmed.

As an officer, I guess depending on where you work, I would think (hope) that the vast majority of people you come into contact with are good folks. But it sure appears to protect and serve anymore you have to be on guard like you are in a combat zone all the time. Panera Bread as a combat zone? May God have mercy on all of us.

 

[DWalt]

Story was in the local paper this morning, but not a lot of detail given.

 

[bountyhunter]

Horrible. That's the worst case nightmare for LE. Went from routine warrant to lethal instantly. Can't see that coming.

 

[Beemerguy53]

There is one word for this--sickening. Who would think you need the SWAT team to arrest a 68 year old at Panera Bread. Our local store is a hang-out for wealthy housewives.

Police officers have to have the most dangerous job in the world. I have never served in the military--those of you who have did your job so well there has never been draft in my lifetime--but I would think when you are in a combat zone you are on guard all the time for being harmed.

As an officer, I guess depending on where you work, I would think (hope) that the vast majority of people you come into contact with are good folks. But it sure appears to protect and serve anymore you have to be on guard like you are in a combat zone all the time. Panera Bread as a combat zone? May God have mercy on all of us.

As bad as it was, this story could have been much worse.

Harford County schools were closed yesterday, and that particular Panera was packed with moms and children, many of whom witnessed the execution of Deputy Dailey. Thank God, no civilians were injured.

 

[Hunter8282]

Dang... crazy! May they RIP.

 

[The Big D]

Sad news.

Beemerguy53, I was thinking about you when I heard this terrible news last evening. Knew this was in your county.

Words escape me when contemplating evil deeds such as this.

Be thou at peace, Deputy Dailey and Deputy Logsdon.

 

[Mule Packer]

My prayers go out to all the men and women in law enforcement who put their lives on the line everyday just so the rest of us can live relatively safe and peaceful lives. There's just got to be a special place in heaven for those individuals.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

I read the story on fox news this morning. Tragic.

My heartfelt thoughts go out to Deputies Dailey and Logsdon's family and friends and all of Hartford County's residents. These terrible events reach out to many more folks than the media ever mention.

My first duty assignment in the Air Force was at Fort George Gordon Meade, MD, so I'm familiar with Hartford County and the fine folks there.

 

[BC38]

May the deputies rest in piece.

May the perpetrator of the crime rest in pieces....

 

[JSR III]

A very tragic story. My heart goes out to the families of the fallen. The days of Andy and Barney and having the Friday night drunks walk into the jail and lock themselves up is a fairy tale from our youth.

Now you must always be on guard and I would not serve today unless you could give me a bullet proof robo cop suit. Folks wonder why after an incident like this and chasing the perp, if not killed, why so many fall down a flight of stairs.

I remember reading about another officer fatality and when the chief was asked, "How come the perp was shot 240 times, the Chief responded, we ran out of ammo!!"

 

[Mal Cap]

Thanks for bringing this to our attention. I'm a retired LEO and I heard this yesterday. It's a grave loss to your community and the officers' families. As we know there is no such circumstance as a routine police call. Unfortunately, officers are being distracted by the politics of police work which should not be political, nor it is an exact science since humans are involved. The problem is the pendulum swinging back and forth and more towards social work which police work, regardless of sensitivity, is not.

 

[sellersm]

Too much of this lately. :-(

This just happened here in Colorado

 

[miles71]

I'm also in Harford County me have many friends in LE. I am glad no others were hurt. my father was a Police officer in WV, ,y thoughts go out to the families of the deputies.

TD

 

[FPrice]

My thoughts and prayers for these two brave officers and for their families, that they find solace and comfort in this time of grief.

 

[old bear]

Prayers for the deputies, their family's, and co-workers.

To all of you out there taking care of the rest of us, please be safe.

 

[shell627]

My prayers to the officers and their families.To all you other officers out there please be careful. Six of the eight officers killed so far this have been killed by gunfire.
It is now eight out of ten officers killed this year. That have been killed by gunfire.Everyone please be careful.

 

[jackvs1]

RIP Deputy Dailey & Deputy Logsdon.