STATE POLICE EMPLOYEES AND ALLIED OFFICERS AWARDED FOR BRAVERY AND OUTSTANDING SERVICE

(TIMONIUM, MD) -- Maryland State Police Superintendent Colonel Marcus L. Brown today presented awards ranging from Superintendent’s Salutes to Governor’s Citations to more than 100 state troopers, civilian employees, and allied law enforcement personnel in a ceremony that acknowledged their bravery, commitment, compassion and outstanding service to the people of Maryland.

The Maryland State Police Award Ceremony was held at the Maryland State Fairgrounds and was attended by families, friends, and co-workers of award recipients. Awards were presented for incidents involving troopers who were assaulted by armed suspects, a trooper who saved the life of a man at an Orioles game who turned out to be a long lost friend and employees who went above and beyond the call of duty while serving and protecting the people of Maryland. Colonel Brown even presented a dog bone to Jillie, a State Police K-9 who helped troopers find a suicidal man in time to rescue him and save his life.

“The narratives of today’s awards were only brief reflections of the deep level of commitment to public service the men and women of the Maryland State Police and our allied law enforcement partners possess,” Colonel Brown said. “The courage, bravery, and dedication to duty exhibited during the past year by our troopers and civilian employees resulted in lives saved, criminals brought to justice, traffic crashes and injuries reduced, and ultimately, a safer Maryland. I am proud to be a part of this outstanding law enforcement organization where integrity, fairness, and service to our citizens are our daily priorities.”
Space does not permit the listing of all the award narratives. The following are just a few.

Lifesaving Award - TFC Nathan L. Steelman – Glen Burnie Barrack

On June 1, 2013, TFC Steelman was off-duty, attending an Orioles baseball game at Camden Yards. His attention was drawn to two men assaulting another man.

As a result of the assault, the victim fell over a retaining wall and landed on an observation deck, six feet below. The fall incapacitated the victim and knocked him unconscious. TFC Steelman immediately responded to the victim and found his airway was blocked. He also recognized the victim as an old friend whom he had not seen for years.

TFC Steelman conducted a finger-sweep of the victim’s throat and removed what was blocking the victim’s airway. While restoring the victim’s breathing, TFC Steelman identified himself as a Maryland State trooper to the two assailants, and informed them they were under arrest.

TFC Steelman’s friend was transported to Shock Trauma for treatment of a traumatic brain injury. There is no doubt that TFC Steelman performed life-saving actions by clearing a blocked airway and stabilizing the victim’s cervical spine, preventing further trauma injuries. TFC Steelman's friend attended today's ceremony to show his support and appreciation to the trooper who helped save his life.

Lifesaving Award - TFC James C. Egros,
TFC Richard R. Roberts, TFC Barry Stonestreet, – Frederick Barrack

On August 21, 2012, the Frederick Barrack received a request from the Westminster Barrack to assist with attempting to locate a suicidal person. Investigators developed a possible location, which K-9 handlers TFC Egros and TFC Stonestreet tracked to a location in Frederick County. TFC Roberts joined the search and followed K9 bloodhound Jillie to a thickly wooded area where he and the other troopers found the missing suicidal person. The man had hung himself from a tree where he was found unconscious by the troopers.

TFC Egros used his utility knife to cut the ligature and lowered the man to the ground. All three troopers initiated CPR until emergency services arrived. If it had not been for the rapid investigative efforts by the troopers, immediate deployment of Jillie the bloodhound, and the instant initiation of rescue CPR by troopers, a State Police helicopter would not have been unable to deliver the suicidal man to the UMD Shock Trauma Center in stable and alert condition. The actions of these troopers and their K-9 resulted in a life being saved.

Governor’s Citation - Corporal Kevin Watkins – JFK Highway Barrack

During the early morning hours of November 12, 2012, while driving his patrol vehicle off-duty, Corporal Watkins arrived at the scene of a motor vehicle crash on I-95 in Harford Co, where one of the vehicles was on fire. Corporal Watkins immediately assessed the imminent danger and notified the barrack. He then began to extricate all three passengers in the vehicle that was on fire.

Further complicating matters, two occupants of the vehicle went into cardiac arrest at the scene. While Harford County EMS personnel administered CPR to one of the occupants, Corporal Watkins administered CPR to the other.

Medical care provided by EMS personnel included transporting Corporal Watkins to the hospital for smoke inhalation injuries. Despite overwhelming odds and tremendous adversity, Corporal Watkins’ immediate extrication of the occupants of the vehicle, while it was on fire, saved the life of one of the occupants and exhibited his courage in the face of obvious danger.

Superintendent’s Commendation
Criminal Enforcement Division State Apprehension Team
Sergeant – CED/MSAT
Corporal – CED/MSAT
Senior Trooper – CED/MSAT
TFC – CED/MSAT

Certificate of Recognition
Deputy First Class – Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office
Detective – Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services
Supervisory Inspector – United States Marshals Service

(NOTE: Names are deleted for safety reasons because these officers often work undercover.)

On March 5, 2013, the Maryland State Apprehension Team (MSAT) received a warrant from the Wicomico County Bureau of Investigations for suspects wanted in several burglaries. The investigation revealed at least one of the suspects was armed and dangerous. Criminal intelligence information led the apprehension team to conduct surveillance on a residence of a known associate.

During the surveillance operation, the burglary suspect was observed entering the residence. The apprehension team converged on the home and arrested the suspect without injury to the team members. Investigators interviewed the suspect and were informed of another home invasion committed by the suspect just hours earlier.

Furthering their investigation, the MSAT team responded to the address of the last known home invasion crime scene. It was there the MSAT team members found an 89-year old female, bound and gagged, lying beneath a coffee table on the living room floor, unable to move. She had been left for dead by the suspects who invaded her home and robbed her. The team members removed the bindings and called for an ambulance for treatment of the injuries she had sustained during the home invasion.

The suspects were subsequently charged with this crime and several other home invasions. Due to the investigative thoroughness of the members of the Maryland State Apprehension Team, they removed a dangerous criminal from Maryland communities and most likely saved the life of the most recent victim.

Superintendent’s Commendation – Major (Retired) Morris L. Krome

Major (Ret) Krome spent 29 years with the Maryland State Police. Upon his retirement, he served on the Department of Legislative Reference’s Pension Code Revision Subcommittee with the Maryland State Retirement Agency. He was elected to the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System Board of Trustees in 1998 and will have served four terms upon his retirement in July 2014. He has worked tirelessly in this role on behalf of retired Maryland state troopers. He helped bring a successful resolution to a court case which awarded $73 million to the retirement system. He served in multiple positions on the board and was a committed advocate on behalf of thousands of state troopers and their families.