Baltimore County Honors Fallen Police Officers at Memorial Service

Towson, MD - A solemn memorial service will be held on Friday, May 12, at 10 a.m. to honor Baltimore County police officers who lost their lives while performing their duties. The service, organized by the Baltimore County Police Department, will occur at Patriot Plaza, 401 Bosley Avenue in Towson.

In the case of inclement weather, the service will be moved inside the County Council Chambers in the Old Courthouse, situated at 400 Washington Avenue.

County Executive Johnny Olszewski, Baltimore County Police Chief Robert McCullough, police dignitaries, and family members of the fallen heroes will attend the service, paying tribute to the fallen officer's sacrifices.

The BCoPD will live-stream the ceremony, starting at 10 a.m., for those unable to attend in person. The service can be accessed here.

During the service, ten wreaths will be placed at the memorial by the Police Department Honor Guard, symbolizing the ten fallen officers. These officers, who will be remembered for their service and dedication, are as follows:

• Officer Amy Sorrells Caprio: On May 21, 2018, Officer Amy Sorrells Caprio, 29, tragically lost her life while responding to a call for a suspicious vehicle in Precinct 8/Parkville. She was struck and killed by the vehicle's driver when she ordered them to exit. Officer Caprio, who served the department for nearly four years, was the first female officer to die in the line of duty in the department's history.

• Officer Jason Schneider: Tactical Officer Jason Schneider was fatally shot on August 28, 2013, while serving a warrant in Precinct 1/Wilkens. The shooting occurred during an exchange of gunfire with a subject inside a home on Roberts Avenue. Officer Schneider, 36 years old at the time of his death, was transferred to Shock Trauma but succumbed to his injuries.

• Lieutenant Michael Howe: Lieutenant Michael Howe passed away on August 11, 2008, due to a massive stroke. His death came a day after he responded to a murder-suicide incident in Precinct 4/Pikesville. Lieutenant Howe collapsed at home upon his return from the scene and was taken to Johns Hopkins Hospital, where he passed away the following day.

• Sergeant Mark Parry: Sergeant Mark Parry died on January 21, 2002, due to injuries sustained in a traffic crash. While on routine patrol in Towson on December 27, 2001, Sergeant Parry's unmarked police car was struck by a drunk driver who fled the scene but was later apprehended.

• Officer John Stem: Officer John Stem's death on October 19, 2000, resulted from complications of paraplegia caused by a line-of-duty gunshot wound he suffered in July 1977. Officer Charles Huckeba was fatally wounded in the same incident in Precinct 1/Wilkens. The officers were attempting to subdue an armed 19-year-old who had barricaded himself in his family's home.

• Sergeant Bruce Prothero: Sergeant Bruce Prothero was shot and killed on February 7, 2000, during an armed robbery on Reisterstown Road. While working part-time as a security guard at a jewelry store, he pursued four armed robbers outside and was shot by one of them. Sergeant Prothero passed away at a local hospital an hour later.

• Officer Robert Zimmerman: On November 5, 1986, Officer Robert Zimmerman, 41 years old, was critically injured when he was struck by a vehicle while on foot patrol on Edmondson Avenue in Precinct 1/Wilkens. Despite efforts to save him, Officer Zimmerman passed away on November 14, 1986, due to the severity of his injuries.

• Corporal Samuel Snyder: In August 1983, Corporal Samuel Snyder, a 30-year veteran of the department, was shot by a mentally ill subject while responding to a call for assistance from fellow officers in Towson. Unfortunately, Officer Snyder succumbed to his wounds on August 23, 1983.

• Officer Charles Huckeba: Officer Charles Huckeba lost his life on July 6, 1977, in Precinct 1/Wilkens during an incident involving an armed, drug-abusing, barricaded youth. Officer Huckeba was shot and killed, while Officer John Stem was also injured. Officer Stem, who suffered a gunshot wound during the incident, passed away 23 years later, on October 19, 2000.

• Officer Edward Kuznar: On December 9, 1969, Officer Edward Kuznar tragically lost his life in a traffic accident near Kingsville. While on traffic patrol, his police car was hit head-on by a driver who crossed the center line, resulting in the deaths of both Officer Kuznar and the driver.

The Baltimore County Police Department Memorial, located at Patriot Plaza, features a carved replica of the department badge flanked by two memorial tablets engraved with the names of officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty since the establishment of the department in 1874.

The memorial bears the inscription: "In lasting memory of those officers and families who made the ultimate sacrifice. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God" (Matthew 5:9).

The memorial service serves as a poignant reminder of the bravery and sacrifice exhibited by Baltimore County police officers throughout history. It provides an opportunity for the community to come together and pay their respects to these fallen heroes, honoring their service and dedication to keeping the county safe.

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