From Maryland State Police:
In the wake of National Police Week, the Maryland State Police JFK Highway Barrack held a ceremony dedicating two memorial road signs for fallen Troopers killed in the line of duty on Interstate 95.
The sign located on south bound I-95, just south of Maryland Rt. 155 is in the memory of TFC John Sawa and Trooper Larry Small. On March 10, 1987, both Troopers were killed when a tractor trailer struck their patrol car which was parked in the median of I-95 near Havre De Grace, MD. TFC Sawa and Trooper Small were assigned to the JFK Highway Barrack.
The sign located north bound I-95 just north of Maryland Rt. 155 is in the memory of Trooper Gary Wade. On January 30, 1982, Trooper Wade was killed when a truck tractor ran off the roadway and struck him while he was standing on the shoulder with a motorist. Trooper Wade was assigned to the North East Barrack.
Families from all three Troopers attended the ceremony which began at the JFK Highway Barrack where they received replicas of the memorial signs. The families were then taken to the memorial signs with a contingent of Troopers where a blue and black ribbon was attached to the sign post.
These heroes put their lives on the line 24/7….protected those who could not protect themselves nor have the will nor means to do their due justice in sacrificing themselves in the line of duty…takes more than a man…they were mortar, stone, the very lives that America stands for …God Bless you and may you continue to live Free because you were and Are the BRAVE!!
Long overdue. Let us hope there are no more signs of this nature to ever be erected.