The Aegis
JOPPA, Md. — Members of the Joppa-Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company are particularly grief-stricken after learning one of their own, Harford County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Patrick Dailey, was killed in the line of duty Wednesday.
“It is with a heavy heart that the Joppa-Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company shares the loss of active life member Patrick ‘Pat’ B. Dailey,” fire company spokesperson Andy Doyle said in statement.
Deputy Dailey and Deputy Mark Logsdon were fatally shot in Abingdon Wednesday, while responding to a complaint about a man inside a Panera Bread restaurant. The man who police say shot them was killed by other deputies.
“Pat dedicated his life to protecting his community. He joined the JMVFC on his 16th birthday and served actively for 37 years,” according to the statement.
The fire company changed its social media profile pictures to the Sheriff’s Office badge, with the black mourning ribbon through the middle.
“Pat spent 9 years on the JMVFC board of directors and served as the chairman of the by-laws committee,” according to the press release. “In addition to being a fireman and police officer, Pat also served in the United Stated Marine Corps.”
Both of his sons, 17-year-old Tyler and 20-year-old Bryan, also joined the fire company.
Bob Thomas, a former fire marshal and chief spokesperson for the Harford Sheriff’s Office, said Deputy Dailey “was a close family friend for 30 years.”
“This is tough for me,” Thomas, who is director of administration for the Maryland Emergency Management Agency, said Wednesday night. His own family also has strong ties with Joppa-Magnolia.
“We talked in the past year and a half about retirement,” Thomas said of his friend. “He had enough time, but he didn’t do it.”
“These were two extremely dedicated individuals, who didn’t have an enemy that I know of,” he said.
“This is a dark, dark day in the history of Harford County that I hope people don’t soon forget. These officers deserve to be remembered.”
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