'Blue Line' Memorializes Fallen Officers At Howard County Police Headquarters

ELLICOTT CITY, MD — The Howard County Police Department unveiled a tribute this week to law enforcement.

Outside the police headquarters on Court House Drive in Ellicott City, a new “Blue Line” has been painted in the road to honor officers lost in the line of duty.

Families of fallen officers, law enforcement and elected officials attended a ceremony Thursday to mark the new addition.

There have been seven police killed in the line of duty in Howard County, according to the department.

• Maryland State Police Trooper Shaft S. Hunter, killed in a 2011 collision during a vehicle pursuit.
• Cpl. Scott Wheeler, struck by a speeding motorist in 2007 while conducting speed enforcement.
• Recruit Officer Roger D. Cassell Jr., died in 1994 after a physical exercise at the HCPD academy.
• Maryland State Police Cpl. Theodore D. Wolf Sr., shot in 1990 during a traffic stop of a stolen vehicle with two men smuggling drugs.
• Officer Randolph E. Brightwell Sr., shot in 1961 during a traffic stop of two men who just robbed and killed a gas station attendant.
• Deputy Sheriff Frank J. Miller, died of a heart attack in 1946 after struggling with a prisoner.
• Constable Charles T. Weber, died in 1924 after being dragged alongside a speeding vehicle.

Members of the department on Thursday rode by the sites where each of the seven fallen officers died.

The installation of the blue line and memorial ride in Howard County took place ahead of the 2017 National Police Week, which will be recognized from May 14 to May 20.

Police from Howard County will also attend a candlelight vigil at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial on May 13 in Washington, D.C. A team of Howard County cyclists from will ride 275 miles from Philadelphia to the memorial for the Police Unity Tour.

Still from Howard County Police Department video.