The 41st annual Fallen Heroes Day observance will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 1 at the Fallen Heroes Memorial at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens, 200 East Padonia Road, Timonium, MD 21093
The ceremony honors Maryland police, firefighters, corrections officers, and emergency medical/rescue personnel who have died in the line of duty.
It is the only statewide ceremony in the nation that brings together all segments of the public safety community. Fallen Heroes Day, which is held each year on the first Friday in May, is also an opportunity for the public to show their appreciation for those who risk their lives every day to protect the citizens of Maryland. Family members of those being honored will be in attendance.
The ceremony will open with a procession of honor guard units from across the state, mounted units, and motorcycle police. During the ceremony, the families of the fallen heroes will be presented with a replica of the Fallen Heroes Memorial and a resolution from the Maryland General Assembly.
The ceremony will conclude with a wreath placement, followed by a 21-gun salute, Taps and a fly-over. The bell that is housed on Maryland’s 9/11 Rolling Memorial will toll as we honor each of the fallen heroes and all Maryland first responders who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
The ceremony is open to the public and is held rain or shine.
Delivering memorial addresses will be Congressman John A. Olszewski, Jr., Governor Wes Moore, and Baltimore County Executive Katherine A. Klausmeier. The keynote speaker will be award-winning journalist and WJZ News anchor Rick Ritter.
Local broadcaster and artist Mary Beth Marsden will serve as the emcee. Mary Beth has been the voice of Fallen Heroes Day since 1993.
The family speaker will be Monica Gant, mother of fallen hero Firefighter/EMT Rodney W. Pitts, III of the Baltimore City Fire Department. Rodney lost his life bravely battling a rowhome fire on Linden Heights Avenue in Northwest Baltimore in October 2023. A dedicated member of Engine Company 29, Firefighter/EMT Pitts was 31 years old at the time of his passing.
“It is with enduring respect and gratitude that we honor those who have sacrificed their lives in service to our communities. The first responders we will honor on May 1 and those we have honored over the past 41 years will never be forgotten,” said Jack Mitchell, President of Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens.
The 2026 Fallen Heroes Day ceremony will honor:
*Fire Technician Jesse W. McCullough, Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department, End of Watch: October 9, 2018. Firefighter McCullough served more than ten years in the fire service, and he did so with exceptional skill and dedication. He began as a volunteer firefighter in Prince George’s County before joining the Baltimore City Fire Department. In 2013, Jesse was hired by Prince George’s County, where he was assigned to Company 830 – Landover Hills, serving as a Firefighter and Engine Driver. Firefighter Jesse McCullough, who was loved and admired by all who knew him, succumbed to occupational cancer at the age of 41.
*Battalion Chief Lawrence H. Goldberg, Baltimore City Fire Department, End of Watch: July 11, 2019. Chief Larry Goldberg was a devoted first responder who made it his life’s mission to serve and protect. He began his career with the Pikesville Volunteer Fire Company in 1988, ultimately becoming the Chief Officer. Later he was hired as a Paramedic with the Baltimore City Fire Department and quickly moved up the ranks to become a Lieutenant, Captain and then a Battalion Chief. Chief Goldberg, who won several awards during his fire service career, also served as an instructor at the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute providing expert training to countless firefighters. Battalion Chief Goldberg succumbed to occupational cancer at the age of 50.
*Captain Keith A. Phillips, Winfield Community Volunteer Fire Department, End of Watch: May 2, 2021. Keith Phillips chose to live his life in service to others. As a teen, he served as a junior volunteer firefighter at New Midway Fire Company in Frederick County, then later as a volunteer in Carroll County. He also worked part-time at several fire stations as a Firefighter/EMT. Keith established his full-time career as 911 dispatcher for Carroll County and continued his commitment to fire service at the Winfield Community Volunteer Fire Department in Sykesville. Captain Phillips succumbed to occupational cancer at the age of 48.
*Chief Edward E. Ivey, Jr., Fairmount Heights Police Department, End of Watch: June 14, 2022. Chief Edward “Chap” Ivey was a law enforcement professional who led his department with honor and commitment. He was viewed as a pillar of the community, a mentor, and a big brother to many. Chief Ivey was posthumously recognized for his leadership and excellence of service with a Hall of Fame Award from the Police Chief’s Association of Prince George’s County. Edward Ivey, who succumbed to an occupational illness, was 60 years old at the time of his passing.
*Lieutenant Raymond Vargas, Jr., Baltimore County Fire Department, End of Watch: March 27, 2025. Throughout his exceptional 12-year career in the fire service, Lt. Raymond Vargas worked to ensure the well-being and safety of Baltimore County residents. He was assigned to fire stations throughout the County, including Eastview, Fullerton, Edgemere, Golden Ring, Sparrows Point, Dundalk, Hillendale, and his last assignment at Fire Station 55 in Perry Hall. With each assignment he gave his all. Lt. Vargas succumbed to occupational cancer at the age of 42.
*EVD Charles E. Mudra, Baltimore City Fire Department, End of Watch: May 16, 2025. Charles Mudra’s firefighting career spanned nearly three decades. Starting as a volunteer firefighter shortly after high school, he went on to serve with the New York City Fire Department as an EMT and an EMS Lieutenant. His career later led him to the Baltimore City Fire Department where he was promoted to Emergency Vehicle Driver (EVD). With his core mission to protect the community, Charles served Baltimore with dedication and distinction for 17 years. EVD Mudra passed away at the age of 53 after suffering a medical emergency while participating in a skills training session at the Baltimore Fire Academy.
*Lieutenant Mark R. Dranbauer, Jr., Baltimore City Fire Department, End of Watch: May 17, 2025. Mark Dranbauer devoted his life to helping others. From an emergency services family, he was a highly respected and dedicated 23-year veteran of the fire service. While battling a rowhome fire, Lt. Dranbauer experienced a medical emergency resulting in a fall from an aerial ladder. His injuries were too severe to sustain life. In accordance with his wishes to be of service to his community and provide a final gift of life to others, Lt. Dranbauer was placed on life support so that his organs could be prepared for donation. He was 44 years old at the time of his passing.
*Detective Paul R. Hoke, Baltimore County Police Department, End of Watch: January 2, 2026. In his 30-year career, Detective Paul Hoke devoted himself to ensuring our public safety, and he did his job with exceptional skill, unwavering commitment, and integrity. Paul joined the Baltimore County Police Department in December 1995 as a Cadet. Upon his graduation from the Academy, he was assigned to Precinct 6-Towson. He then became a Detective assigned to the Criminal Investigations Bureau’s Violent Crimes Unit, ultimately working in the Department’s Homicide/Missing Persons Unit. His colleagues referred to his kind heart and strong sense of moral duty. This generosity of spirit is reflected in his final wishes to help others as an organ donor. Detective Hoke, age 49, passed away after experiencing a medical emergency while working a voluntary overtime shift on New Year’s Eve.
*Fire Captain William R. Lutostanski, Jr., Baltimore County Fire Department, End of Watch: February 17, 2026. For more than two decades, William “Will” Lutostanski, Jr. devoted himself to the well-being and safety of others as a Baltimore County firefighter. In a distinguished career that spanned 26 years, Will rose through the ranks from EMT/Firefighter to Fire Captain. This legacy of service included assignments in Fullerton, Pikesville, Golden Ring and finally Woodlawn. “Luto,” as he was known by his fellow firefighters, was a tremendous asset to each fire station and to the communities he protected. A much-loved leader and mentor, Captain Lutostanski succumbed to occupational cancer at the age of 48.
Each year the ceremony also recognizes a police officer and firefighter who died in the line of duty before Fallen Heroes Day was established as a tribute to all first responders. Remembered this year will be:
*Captain Frank J. Sappe, Jr. of the Baltimore City Fire Department died on March 4, 1977, while bravely battling a large building fire at the Fiberglass Specialties Company. As the crew was advancing a hose line, a 20-foot-high cinder block wall collapsed, trapping the firefighter. He was transported to the hospital where he died a short time later. Captain Frank Sappe was 35 years old at the time of his passing.
*Officer Edward Kuznar of the Baltimore County Police Department died on December 9, 1969, when his patrol car was struck by a drunk driver on Route 1 near Kingsville. The driver crossed the center line and struck the officer’s vehicle, knocking the patrol car into a truck. Officer Kuznar, a dedicated 12-year veteran of the Department, was 41 years old.
For more information call 410-666-0490 or visit www.dulaneyvalley.com