[February 11, 2016, Abindgon, MD] On Wednesday, February 10, 2016, Senior Deputy Patrick Dailey and Deputy First Class Mark Logsdon of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office were killed in the line of duty while faithfully serving the citizens of Harford County.
At approximately 11:40 a.m., the Harford County Department of Emergency Services received a call from a citizen concerning a suspicious circumstance, indicating a wanted person was in the Panera Bread restaurant located in the 3400 block of Merchant Drive in Abingdon, Maryland.
At approximately 11:46 a.m., Deputies were dispatched to the location in an attempt to locate the wanted subject who had been described by the caller.
The investigation has revealed that Senior Deputy Dailey arrived at the Panera Bread a short time after the initial dispatch, entered and approached a subject meeting the description who was seated alone at a table. While speaking to Senior Deputy Dailey, the suspect, without warning, produced a handgun and shot Senior Deputy Dailey in the head. The suspect then exited the Panera Bread and ran in the direction of Parkview at Box Hill, a senior living apartment center.
Within moments, a second Deputy arrived at the restaurant and located Senior Deputy Dailey with a gunshot wound.
Shortly after 12:00 p.m., Deputy First Class Logsdon, who had arrived on scene, exited his vehicle and, along with additional Harford County deputies, located the suspect seated in the front seat of a vehicle in the parking lot at Parkview at Box Hill. Upon contact by Deputy First Class Logsdon, the suspect fired multiple rounds at the Deputy, mortally wounding him.
Deputies within close proximity, including Deputy First Class Logsdon, returned fire, striking and killing the suspect. He has subsequently been identified as David Brian Evans (W/M, 12/25/47) who has no fixed address. The loaded handgun used to murder Deputy First Class Logsdon and Senior Deputy Dailey was recovered from the suspect.
Lifesaving efforts were immediately administered to both Senior Deputy Dailey and Deputy First Class Logsdon by Sheriff’s Deputies on scene. Abingdon and Joppa Magnolia Volunteer Fire Departments responded and continued their life saving efforts. Senior Deputy Dailey was transported from the scene by Maryland State Police helicopter to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center. Deputy First Class Logsdon was transported to the University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Medical Center. Both succumbed to their injuries.
Investigators from the Harford County Sheriff’s Office are continuing to work tirelessly to reconstruct the events surrounding these senseless murders.
Senior Deputy Dailey had served with the Harford County Sheriff’s Office for 30 years and was assigned to the Court Services Division. He was also a lifelong member of the Joppa Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company. He is survived by his two children, girlfriend and mother.
Deputy First Class Logsdon had served with the Harford County Sheriff’s Office for 16 years and was assigned to the Community Services Division. He is survived by his wife, three children, and parents.
Both Senior Deputy Dailey and Deputy First Class Logsdon served in the military. Senior Deputy Dailey served in the Marines; Deputy First Class Logsdon served in the United States Army.
Sheriff Jeffrey R. Gahler and the members of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office would like to express our sincerest gratitude to the Maryland State Police, Maryland Transportation Authority Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Bel Air Police Department, Aberdeen Police Department, Havre de Grace Police Department, Baltimore County Police Department, the State Highway Administration, Harford County Department of Emergency Services, and all the local fire companies who assisted yesterday. Their assistance greatly helped our agency get through yesterday’s tragic events.