Deputies in the Community

Holiday Travel Safety

December 20, 2022

Did you know Santa gets his Traffic Tips from Sgt. Eaton!? Here is a little sample of what the Sgt. has for the big man! #TrafficTipTuesday

“This week’s #traffictiptuesday is directed to one reader specifically. He has a big trip planned later this week and he personally asked me for some advice.

First and foremost, you are going to want to check all the safety features on your sleigh. You will need to check the runners for any damage. The last thing you want is to have a sleigh-mergency and get stranded on someone’s roof. You also want to be sure the shocks are nice and strong. If you are carrying a sack filled with toys for all the good girls and boys, you want to make sure your suspension doesn’t give out.

Fuel up before you leave. Those reindeer aren’t going to be able to get too far off the ground if you don’t take care of them (hopefully folks will leave some carrots out so you can refuel them along the way).

Finally, make sure you don’t fly your sleigh too low. The last thing you want to do is hit some power lines and take out the power grid. The kids on your ‘nice’ list won’t be able to use their new Xboxes if there is no power.

Stay safe this week, be good to each other, and have a safe and happy holiday season.

As always, if you have a question or concern, please leave it in the comments below. Also, if you have a specific concern with unsafe driving in your area, such as speeding, drag racing, etc., give us a call, send an email, or reach out on social media. Until next week, slow down, pay attention, wear your seatbelt, and drive safely

HCSO Main Line – 410.838.6600
Northern Precinct – 410.692.7880
Southern Precinct – 410.612.1717
HCSO Traffic Unit – 443.409.3324
traffictiptuesday@harfordsheriff.org
@hcsotrafficsgt on Instagram

Slow Down – Move Over

April 26, 2022

It’s Tuesday, which means time for another #TrafficTipTuesday with Sgt. Eaton!

“May 6th through May 8th 2022 has been designated as “Slow Down – Move Over” weekend in the state of Maryland. This week for #traffictiptuesday I thought it would be a good idea to speak briefly about Maryland’s move over law and why it is so important.

The Maryland Move Over law is exactly what it sounds like. This law requires motorists approaching from the rear of an authorized vehicle stopped on a highway with light flashing to, if possible, make a lane change into an available lane not immediately adjacent to the vehicle. The first question becomes, “what constitutes an ‘authorized vehicle?’” A general rule of thumb is that any vehicle authorized to display flashing lights is included. In addition to law enforcement, fire department, and medical personnel, the law also covers tow trucks, service, and utility vehicles as well as waste management and recycling trucks. Obviously, the safest thing would be to slow down and/or move over for ANY vehicle stopped along the side of the road. Violation of Maryland’s Move Over law could result in a $110 fine and one point on your driving record.

I could spend days and days talking about how dangerous failing to obey this law can be. In fact, in 2021, 129 pedestrians were killed on Maryland roads. So far this year, there have been 35 people killed on the side of the road. The biggest contributor to these unnecessary deaths? You’ve guessed it. Speeding, distracted driving and impaired driving.

Next weekend, you can expect to see police all over the state stepping up enforcement efforts for Slow Down-Move Over weekend. I hope each of you will do your part to slow down and be safe.

As always, if you have a question or concern, please leave it in the comments below. Also, if you have a specific concern with unsafe driving in your area, such as speeding, drag racing, etc., give us a call, send an email, or reach out on social media. Until next week, slow down, pay attention, wear your seatbelt, and drive safely

HCSO Main Line – 410.838.6600
Northern Precinct – 410.692.7880
Southern Precinct – 410.612.1717
HCSO Traffic Unit – 443.409.3324
traffictiptuesday@harfordsheriff.org
@hcsotrafficsgt on Instagram

Bosco Retirement

March 18, 2022

After nearly 9 years of service to the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, K9 Bosco retired last week. Bosco first joined the Sheriff’s Office as the K9 partner of Senior Deputy Daniel Vazquez in June 2013. He was trained as a dual purpose patrol services and explosive detection canine.

Throughout his career, Bosco was called on to assist in numerous arrests and locating firearms used in crimes, repeatedly helping neighboring jurisdictions. Of all his deployments, Senior Deputy Vazquez says their proudest moment was when they located a firearm that was used to shoot at an officer with an allied agency.

He may be retiring from patrolling Harford County streets and keeping Harford County safe from bad guys, but Senior Deputy Vazquez says he’s not quite finished with patrol protection yet. Those functions just move to patrolling the couch, and protecting his humans from those evil squirrels!

Happy Trails Bosco!

Deputies and Kittens

January 15, 2022

Want something to warm your heart on this cold cold day?

How about Deputies and kittens! DFC Tabler and Deputy Ulmer helped Animal Control rescue this cutie from a storm drain in Edgewood!

You never know what is in store for you when you start your shift!

Kinder Time Toy Drive

December 22, 2021

It’s become an annual tradition for our Agency members to participate in the Kinder Time Toy Drive! Harford County Government Executive Barry Glassman was part of the giving celebration, too!

We have been honored to participate each year and help spread Christmas joy! This year, we are visiting the Bea Gaddy Family Resource Center, Kennedy Krieger Institute, and the Ronald McDonald House.

Water Rescue

December 13, 2021

Deputies Brave Freezing Waters to Save Life

All in A Day’s Work!

On December 10, 2021, in 40-degree weather, Deputies assigned to the Southern Precinct entered the cold waters of the Bush River to save a 25-year-old woman.

Deputies responded to the area of Flying Point Park Marina at 1:02 pm, after a call to check on the wellbeing of the woman, who is not being identified. Upon arrival, they observed her vehicle, on the boat ramp, partially in the water. Deputies attempted to remove the driver, and only occupant, but were unable to get her out before the car completely entered the water. Once the vehicle was nearly fully submerged, the driver jumped out of the vehicle and into the cold water.

It was at that time, four Harford County Sheriff’s Deputies, Corporal Sanchez, Senior Deputy Mothershed, Deputy First Class Tatum, and Corporal Frederick, made the quick decision to risk their own personal safety and enter the water, to attempt a rescue. After wading through waist-high waters they made their way to the woman who was still in the water. The video below shows Senior Deputy Mothershed bringing her to shore.

The woman was transported by local emergency responders to the hospital for treatment of cold weather exposure and for further medical evaluation. No deputies were injured.
Of the heroism displayed that day Sheriff Gahler remarked, “Deputies put on a uniform and go to work everyday to make a difference in the lives of citizens. I am proud of the work these men did to act quickly and save a life.”

Bird of Prey Rescue X2

December 6, 2021

Think you had a fun weekend? Well how about this!

Animal Control Officer Young rescued two birds of prey!

First was a Hawk in White Hall off Broadway Road on Saturday. Then yesterday, she rescued an owl off Dublin Road in Darlington.
Talk about an awesome weekend!

Both birds were taken to Phoenix Wildlife Center, Inc. to recover.

Maryland Sheriffs’ Association Awards

October 23, 2021

Harford County Sheriff’s Office’s Senior Deputy Darwin King, Jr. and Senior Deputy Wilbert Adams were presented with Maryland Sheriffs’ Association Awards this past week during the 2021 Maryland Chiefs of Police/Maryland Sheriffs’ Association Annual Awards Ceremony. Senior Deputy Darwin King, Jr. received the Maryland Sheriffs’ Association’s Community Service Award for calendar year 2020 in recognition of his dedication and commitment to our Harford County Community. Senior Deputy Wilbert Adams received the Maryland Sheriffs’ Association’s Traffic Safety Award for calendar year 2020 in recognition of this substantial contribution and proactive approach towards traffic safety in our County! Please join us in saying Congratulations to these outstanding Deputies!

Edgewood Community Cleanup

October 23, 2021

Great day for the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, partnering with the 755 Alliance, for the Edgewood Community Cleanup. Tremendous amount of work with fantastic Community support. And we finished before the rain rolled in this afternoon!

SARC

October 15, 2021

Proud to stand with SARC (Harford County) during October, and every other month of the year, to support victims of domestic and sexual violence in Harford County. Everyone deserves a safe home.