Bel Air Police to Memorialize Fallen Officer

BEL AIR, MD – More state troopers will be on the roads around Bel Air this weekend.

So that members of the Bel Air Police Department may attend a candlelight vigil in Washington, D.C., Maryland State Police from the Bel Air barrack will keep watch over the town.

On Friday evening by the National Mall, the Bel Air Police Department will pay tribute to fallen Bel Air Officer George Oliver Noonan.

Noonan died on June 25, 1920, after an altercation on Office and South Main streets where he confiscated fireworks, which exploded in his pocket, causing intestinal damage and ultimately death, according to the Bel Air Police Department.

"In that era there was little to no recognition of line of duty deaths," the Bel Air Police Department said in a statement, noting that a local historian discovered the story of the fallen officer while researching. "The Town of Bel Air and the Bel Air Police Department are responsible for ensuring that proper memorialization is performed for the ultimate sacrifice made by Officer Noonan."

This week, that is just what officials are doing, as the nation recognizes those killed in the line of duty—it's National Police Week, and National Peace Officers' Memorial Day is May 15.

"The memorialization efforts this month will be especially solemn as we also remember the tragic deaths of fallen Deputies Patrick Dailey and Mark Logsdon and other law enforcement personnel who have made the ultimate sacrifice," the Bel Air Police Department said in a statement.

Maryland State Police will cover for the Bel Air Police Department from 7 a.m. on Friday, May 13, to 7 a.m. on Saturday, May 14. The candlelight vigil to honor fallen officers will be on the National Mall at 8 p.m. on Friday, May 13. Police said there will be no disruption to law enforcement service.

Pictured, gravestone of Officer Edward Noonan. Photo Credit: Bel Air Police Department.