Howard County Government: County Executive Orders Flags At Half-Staff In Honor Of Ellicott City Volunteer Fire Department Chief Ralston

Press release from the Howard County Government:

02/11/2022

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball today announced that all flags at County buildings will be flown at half-staff in honor of Ellicott City Volunteer Fire Department Deputy Chief Craig Ralston, who passed on February 3, 2022. 

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball today announced that all flags at County buildings will be flown at half-staff in honor of Ellicott City Volunteer Fire Department Deputy Chief Craig Ralston, who passed on February 3, 2022. 

Chief Ralston was a Master Firefighter with the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority and a member of the ECVFD since 2002. He rose through the ranks to become lieutenant, captain, assistant chief, and deputy chief. He received multiple honors, including Firefighter of the Year in 2002-2003. One of his greatest loves at Station 2 was Annabelle, Ellicott City’s antique engine. He will also be fondly remembered for his love of playing the department’s Santa, accompanied by Mrs. Claus, his beloved wife EMS Sergeant Kat Ralston.

Our sympathies are with the family, friends, and colleagues of Deputy Chief Craig Ralston of the Ellicott City Volunteer Fire Department. Losing a pillar of our community is never easy, and I hope that his loved ones find comfort and peace in their memories of Chief Ralston. He will be missed.

Calvin Ball

Howard County Executive

This press release was produced by the Howard County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.