RESPECTED STATE AND HARFORD CO. LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL DIES AFTER LONG ILLNESS

(EDGEWOOD, MD) – A well-respected and beloved law enforcement official who had careers with both the Maryland State Police and the Harford County Sheriff’s Office passed away last night after a long illness.

Theodore S. Moyer, 83, of Edgewood, Md., died shortly after 7:30 p.m. yesterday. He was at his home and surrounded by family when he passed away.

Major Ted Moyer was born and raised in Hagerstown, Md. He played semi-pro football for the Browns and worked at Fairchild building planes before joining the Maryland State Police.

Major Moyer moved to Harford County in 1951 as a new trooper with the Maryland State Police. His graduating class was the first to wear the Stetson hat and the shoulder patch that is still worn by troopers. Although his assignments as a trooper changed throughout his career, he never moved from the county he loved, where he was surrounded by the many people who came to know and love him.

During his State Police career, he served as commander of the Greenbelt Post, the North East, Valley, and Bel Air barracks and of the Northern Troop. He retired from the Maryland State Police in 1981 with the rank of major. He then went on to be elected sheriff and served with the Harford County Sheriff’s Office until 1986.

After his retirement from law enforcement, Major Moyer continued his support of and involvement in the Maryland State Police. He was an active member of the Maryland State Police Alumni Association and had previously served as the organization’s president. He and his wife were faithful in their attendance at the annual Maryland State Police Fallen Heroes Ceremony, as well as award and promotion ceremonies and new trooper graduations.

Major Moyer’s service to citizens extended far beyond his public safety duties with the Maryland State Police and the Harford County Sheriff’s Office. He was a longtime youth coach who was a friend and mentor to hundreds of young people during his life. He coached many championship football, baseball, and basketball teams during almost four decades as a volunteer coach.

He was always helping people in need by providing financial or resource support. These acts of kindness were most often done without anyone other than those he helped being aware of who was responsible for the help and generosity.

Major Moyer and his wife Elaine raised three sons, David, Michael, and Steve. They enjoyed spending time together as a family and were especially fond of their four grandchildren. They instilled in their children and grandchildren the values of honesty, integrity, loyalty, commitment, and the importance of family. Their son Steve followed in his father’s footsteps. He had an outstanding career with the Maryland State Police, from which he retired as a bureau chief with the rank of lieutenant colonel. Just before his death, Major Moyer presented Steve’s son, Drew, with his State Police retirement badge.

Regardless of the rank he achieved in both the State Police and Sheriff’s Office, Major Moyer was known for always looking out for the road trooper or deputy. He never forgot where he came from and knew the importance of the men and women on the front lines of public safety service.

He is known by all those who served with him as a man who deeply loved both the Maryland State Police and the Harford County Sheriff’s Office. He is also remembered as a passionate fan of the Baltimore Colts, Baltimore Orioles, and Baltimore Ravens.

Major Moyer will be remembered for many things, including his sincere concern and compassion for the people he served. His life and career are reminders to those who knew him that if you truly want to and are willing to sacrifice your time, talent and resources, you can make a difference in the lives of others.