Fallen Heroes Day honors members of Maryland s public safety community who died in the line of duty
Pandemic brings changes to a 36-year tradition
Fallen Heroes Day
and last updated 2021-05-07 11:54:35-04
TIMMONIUM, Md. â Friday is the 36th annual Fallen Heroes Day.
It s a day which honors police officers, firefighters, and other emergency personnel who died in the line of duty.
The annual event is the only statewide ceremony in the nation that brings together all segments of the public safety community.
The Fallen Heroes Day ceremony is usually open to the public. Because of the pandemic, only family members of those killed in the line of duty will be allowed to attend in person this year.
Print Jennifer Franciotti, WBAL-TV
For the first time in two years, the Fallen Heroes Day ceremony will take place in person at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. For family members, it will be a chance to honor the sacrifices made by their loved ones.
Jeana Olinger s late husband, Kyle Olinger, will be among those honored Friday at the annual Fallen Heroes Day ceremony at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. Oh, it s very special. I mean, he wouldn t think so. He did what he loved to do, said Jeana Olinger.
Kyle Olinger was a Montgomery County police officer in 2003 when he was shot during a car stop. He was left paralyzed and died in 2019 from complications.
Honoring Maryland s fallen heroes
Annual ceremony returns at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens
Honoring Maryland s fallen heroes
and last updated 2021-05-07 23:17:05-04
TIMONIUM, Md. â A giant American flag met those arriving at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens for the service, which typically draws a crowd of 1500 people, but was limited to families and honor guards due to the pandemic.
A pandemic, which cost 67-year-old Taneytown Volunteer Fire Paramedic Jeff Schaffer his life after he contracted COVID while serving on the front lines.
âEven just growing up. He would be in the kitchen eating. He would jump up and run out to a call. I would sometimes go on calls with him,â said Chris Schaffer, the paramedicâs son. âThere was no give up with him. He knew, even with this stuff going on, people still needed help.â
47abc
May 7, 2021
MARYLAND- The 36th Annual Fallen Heroes Day took place at Delaney Valley Memorial Gardens in Maryland.
The annual event honors police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical-rescue personnel who have died in the line of duty.
Because the Fallen Heroes Day couldn’t be held in person last year due to the pandemic, this year’s ceremony honored first responders lost within the last 2 years.
They also had a moment of silence for Corporal Keith Heacook.
“We remember each of them, as true heroes, not because of the way they died but because of the way they lived selflessly serving every single day to keep the communities they loved safe, our state will always be eternally grateful and they will never be forgotten,” Governor Larry Hogan said.
For the first time in two years, the Fallen Heroes Day ceremony will take place in person at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. For family members, it will be a chance to honor the sacrifices made by their loved ones.Jeana Olinger s late husband, Kyle Olinger, will be among those honored Friday at the annual Fallen Heroes Day ceremony at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. Oh, it s very special. I mean, he wouldn t think so. He did what he loved to do, said Jeana Olinger.Kyle Olinger was a Montgomery County police officer in 2003 when he was shot during a car stop. He was left paralyzed and died in 2019 from complications.Jeana Olinger gets emotional when she thinks about the sacrifices made by the men and women her husband considered his brothers and sisters in a profession under criticism and reform across the country. It s sad because they are being hated. It upsets me, because you can t do anything, she said.On the first Friday in May, Fallen Heroes Day honors police officers,