Thin Blue Line Banners Honor Fallen Deputies In Bel Air

BEL AIR, MD — Banners in downtown Bel Air that honor two deputies killed in the line of duty will remain up through the end of February, according to a town official.

The black-and-blue pole banners were installed on Main Street by order of Town Administrator Jesse Bane, according to Town Clerk Michael Krantz.

"They have been posted every year in February since the death the deputies," Krantz said.

Senior Deputy Patrick Dailey, 52, of Joppa, and Deputy First Class Mark Logsdon, 43, of Fallston, were fatally shot Feb. 10, 2016.

Their deaths followed a call about a wanted individual. When Dailey approached the suspect in the Abingdon Panera, authorities said the deputy was shot almost immediately. Logsdon was killed while tracking down the suspect, who was in his car outside the Park View senior living complex about 0.1 mile from the restaurant. The suspect died in a gunfight with deputies.

Related:

• 2 Deputies Shot, Suspect Dead in Abingdon
• Killer of 2 Deputies Was Armed 'At All Times': Harford Sheriff
• Sheriff Identifies 2 Deputies Killed in Line of Duty

There were multiple ways Harford County honored the fallen deputies this month.

Harford County Executive Barry Glassman ordered the Harford County flag flown at half-staff from sunrise Friday, Feb. 7, through sunset Monday, Feb. 10. Blue lights illuminated the county's administrative office on Main Street in a show of support for law enforcement.

There was a brief ceremony Feb. 10 at the county government building at 220 S. Main Street in Bel Air.

"Four years ago was ... one of the most traumatic things that we had suffered here in Harford County," Glassman said at the gathering, recalling the county pledged "we would never forget."

Volunteer fire companies across Harford County sounded their sirens at noon, followed by a moment of silence.

A memorial blood drive Feb. 10 at the Joppa-Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company honored the deputies as well. Debbie Logsdon, whose son was killed on that day four years ago, suggested a blood drive because medical personnel "used a lot of blood" to try to keep the deputies alive — "they did everything they could to save Mark and Pat," she told WJZ, "and it was just that I wanted to give back."

More than 130 people reportedly participated in the memorial blood drive, held at the fire company where Dailey volunteered. Donors were given a double-sided commemorative coin with a photo of Logsdon on one side and Dailey on the other, WJZ reported. Among those who attended the event were Dailey's son, Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler and Logsdon's granddaughter.

The banners in Bel Air flown through the month of February are one way the town uses its lampposts to raise awareness.

"Banners are used most often in conjunction with events," Krantz told Bel Air Patch, citing "Paint the Town Pink," a campaign that raises awareness about breast cancer in October.

The town of Bel Air uses the lampposts to hang flower baskets and holiday decorations, as well.

"There is no set schedule," Krantz told Patch.

There is one thing the banners do not do, Krantz noted.

"We do not use the poles to advertise for businesses," he said.

So what's next for the lampposts?

"No new banners are scheduled at this time," Krantz told Patch Thursday, Feb. 27. "The blue line banners are scheduled to come down at the end of February."