Deputy Lifts Up Community with Dance Moves After Tragedy: Video

Bel Air, MD — The dancing deputy who has brought smiles to the faces of many Harford County drivers while he's directing traffic says he started strutting to entertain kids and this year brought his moves to the masses as a way to lift up a grief-stricken community.

Sgt. Shawn Craig, who volunteers with a youth program in the sheriff's office for those interested in law enforcement, said the group occasionally did traffic details to raise scholarship money for participants, who are 13 to 21 years old.

"...to keep them engaged and wanting to keep signing up, I would dance for them while directing [traffic]," Craig told Patch.

"Years have passed where I have occasionally done this for the kids, until this year when tragedy struck our sheriff’s office and we lost two of our deputies as they were killed in the line of duty," Craig said.

Senior Deputy Patrick Dailey and Deputy First Class Mark Logsdon were fatally shot on Feb. 10.

"I thought about all the great things the residents and businesses of Harford County had done for our sheriff’s office after these deaths. The pride, respect and admiration our citizens have shown the Harford County Sheriff's Office has been inspirational," Craig said. "I decided to return that love with something that I thought was powerful yet simplistic in nature. A little bit of dancing and a lot of smiles, and the results have been unbelievable."

See Also:

• Looney's Donates $140K to Fallen Heroes After Benefit
• Dancing Deputy Spreads Cheer Near Bel Air Auto Auction
• Senior Deputy Patrick Dailey: 'He Cared About Everyone'
• Deputy First-Class Mark Logsdon: 'Best Neighbor You Could Ask For'

On top of bringing joy to people on the road, the dancing deputy has gained internet fame.

Craig was featured after a citizen submitted video of his moves to the Harford County Sheriff's Office back in March. When the sheriff's office posted it on its Facebook page, the video received more than 300,000 views.

"I worked the Bel Air Auto Auction Detail again [last] Thursday and incorporated a couple of new moves, and again the motoring public had a lot of fun with it," Craig said this week. That video has also been viewed more than 300,000 times.

But he doesn't dance for the accolades. Craig said that he wanted to show his community the lighter side of law enforcement and make a connection.

"I dance to break down walls and humanize this profession," said the deputy, who moonwalks and high-kicks while improvising. "I am honored to be a small part of what I believe to be the bigger picture, restoring trust and pride in our nation’s law enforcement, starting in my little backyard, Harford County."

Screenshot of Sgt. Shawn Craig from video by Bel Air Auto Auction/Facebook.