Outside of the Harford County Government administrative offices, there was a moment of silence Friday at noon followed by three emergency sirens in succession. Feb. 10 was declared a Day of Remembrance in the county in honor of the two Harford County Sheriff’s Deputies killed one year ago in the line of duty.
“These men gave the ultimate sacrifice for the citizens of Harford County, it’s hard to believe it’s been just a year,” Karen Myers said.
The day didn’t need to be made official for the people who attended memorial services on Friday. They likely won’t forget what happened on Feb. 10, 2016, but for those who come after, the date will be noted.
“I think it will always be a significant day for Harford County. We have just never had this type of violence in over 100 years, so I think it is maybe a little bit of turning point that some of us when we get older, we’ll always remember the day when we lost those two deputies,” Harford County Executive Barry Glassman said.
It’s been a year of heartache for the families of Sr. Deputy Patrick Dailey and Dfc. Mark Logsdon, but they haven’t been alone. From numerous fundraisers to small signs of support, the community has shown that they too were touched by the tragedy.
“We’re a close knit community up here and I think everyone wants to do something and they want to keep their memory alive so that’s why we do it,” said Bill Larney, owner of Looney’s Pub.
Larney held a day-long fundraiser at Looney’s Pub in Bel Air where 10 percent of all sales were donated to the Harford County Benevolent Fund. He also put aside two barstools for the fallen deputies.
“We did that the day it happened and we kept it going for two weeks, where people just come in and buy a drink and it was hundreds and hundreds of drinks that were there,” Larney said.
Down the road in Edgewood, there’s something a little more permanent.
“We are now the Patrick Dailey Mark Logsdon Memorial Service Post 17,” said Edward McCann, the Post 17 commander and Harford County commander for the American Legion.
The Edgewood American Legion post collapsed under snow seven years ago on Feb. 10, 2010. Six years later, its members suffered another blow, but out of sorrow they saw opportunity.
“We felt that it was the right thing to do for us to recharter and name the post after them. Pat Dailey was a member of this post, Mark Logsdon was a member of Post 39 in Bel Air,” McCann said. “In my mind, it’s our way of honoring them and making certain their memories will never be forgotten.”
Dailey’s sons, Bryan and Tyler, were made lifelong members of the Edgewood post.
“It's just amazing knowing that a lot of the people in the community really care about what happened on February 10, 2016. And knowing that Ed has cared enough to actually rename the entire post in memory of my father and Mark it's just amazing and I can't thank him enough,” Bryan Dailey said.
Dailey added that he’s enjoyed visiting with his father’s friends whenever he stops by the post.
“I guess it just adds a little bit of closure being able to hear people's stories like what they were doing during the day when everything happened and just knowing people care,” Dailey said.
The post also held a memorial service Friday afternoon.
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