Suicidal Man Prompted Road Closure, School Delay Monday in Bel Air: Sheriff

BEL AIR, MD — An investigation into a report of a suicidal man in Bel Air resulted in road closures and delayed school start times on Monday morning.

James L. Ward was found deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the Harford County Sheriff's Office, which was called to his home in the 2000 block of Stratton Road at 1:34 a.m.

After members of the special response team tried and were unsuccessful for several hours to get in touch with Ward, they entered the residence and found him on the lower level deceased, officials said.

This was at least the second time deputies were called to the residence for a report of a suicidal person in recent months. In April, Ward was drunk and suicidal when he got into a confrontation with police, officials said. When he opened fire on deputies posted outside, he was shot at and injured by police and was taken by medevac for treatment.

At that time, police reported that Ward was an officer with the Baltimore County Police Department, which suspended him without pay.

“I was greatly saddened to hear about one of our officers taking his own life after being involved in a barricade situation for the second time," Baltimore County Police Chief Jim Johnson said. "It is fortunate that no one else was hurt.”

Ward was a 19-year veteran of the Baltimore County Police Department.

Officials said that schools would dismiss on time, and all roads had reopened following the incident.

Help for Those Considering Suicide

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, there are resources available to help.
The Harford County Mobile Crisis team is available at 410-638-5248.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 1-800-SUICIDE (or 1-800-784-2433). Its website offers services including a live chat.

The Kristin Brooks Hope Center provides specific hotlines for suicide prevention, veterans support, teens, grad students and those with postpartum depression.

PREVIOUS REPORT — Patterson Mill Middle and High schools are opening three hours late on Monday, Aug. 29, due to police activity in the area, Harford County Public Schools officials said.

There was police activity in the area of Stratton Court, according to the Harford County Sheriff's Office, which reported that roads in the area had reopened by 7:15 a.m. Stratton Court is approximately 1 mile from Patterson Mill Middle and High school.

The two schools will still open on a three-hour delay. Patterson Mill Middle School normally starts at 8:15 a.m., while Patterson Mill High School starts at 7:30 a.m.