Prince George's Officer to be Honored at Fallen Heroes Day

By ELIZABETH JANNEY (Patch Staff)

Every spring the state of Maryland pays tribute to fallen public safety officials at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens during the ”Fallen Heroes Day” ceremony.

At the observance in May, six people who have died in the line of duty since last year’s ceremony will be recognized, including one member of the Prince George’s County Police Department:

• Officer First Class Brennan Rabain, Prince George’s County Police Department; March 7, 2015
• Officer Craig Chandler, Baltimore Police Department; Jan. 9, 2015
• Paramedic Erik Steciak, Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company; Jan. 6, 2015
• Corporal Jamel Clagett, Charles County Sheriff’s Office; Dec. 21, 2014
• Lt. James Bethea, Baltimore City Fire Department; Nov. 12, 2014
• Fire Apparatus Driver Operator Robert Fogle III, Baltimore County Fire Department; May 30, 2014

Rabain died March 7 when he lost control of his cruiser and crashed into a wooden fence while trying to make a traffic stop in Lanham. The 26-year-old, who was off-duty at the time, was described as a “fine officer” by Prince George’s County Police Chief Dennis Magaw. Rabain had been with the force less than two years and leaves behind a 3-year-old daughter.

Fallen Heroes Day is the only statewide ceremony in the nation that brings together all segments of the public safety community to salute police and correctional officers, firefighters and emergency medical personnel who risk their lives daily to protect Maryland’s citizens.

This year’s ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 1, at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens, 200 East Padonia Road, in Timonium. The observance is free and open to the public.

• Departments Turn Out to Honor Fallen Police Officer
• Girlfriend of Officer Killed Says He Tried to Stop Speeder

Want more news? Get the daily Bowie email newsletter.