The Maryland flag was lowered to half-staff following the death of Denton Police Chief George William Bacorn Jr. on Friday, Sept. 25
Credit: Courtesy of the Town of Denton
NEED TO KNOW
- Denton Police Chief George Bacorn Jr. has died following a head-on collision involving a delivery truck in Maryland on Friday, Sept. 25
- Bacorn, 62, served as police chief for 36 years and led the Maryland Municipal League Chiefs and Sheriffs Association this year
- Maryland Gov. Wes Moore ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff, as well as praising Bacorn’s dedication to public service and safety in a tribute shared on social media
Communities across Maryland are mourning the death of a beloved police chief following a fatal collision in Talbot County.
At around 11:30 a.m. local time on Friday, Sept. 25, troopers responded to reports of a crash near Dover Neck Road, according to a Maryland State Police (MSP) news release.
A preliminary investigation indicated that a Chevrolet Silverado and a Chevrolet Tahoe were traveling eastbound on Maryland Route 331 (MD 331), when a Ford Transit delivery truck, traveling westbound, crossed the center double-yellow line for “unknown reasons,” per the release.
The delivery truck struck the Silverado’s side mirror before continuing westbound and smashing into the Tahoe head-on.
According to the MSP, George William Bacorn Jr. was driving the Chevrolet Tahoe at the time of the collision. The 62-year-old Denton Police chief was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency services personnel.
Credit: Google
The driver of the delivery truck, who was identified as Antonio Jaquan Handy, 31, of Salisbury, Maryland, was transported to a local trauma center by Maryland State Police Aviation Command.
No other injuries were reported at the scene.
The Denton Police Department shared their condolences following the death of Chief Bacorn Jr. in a statement posted on Facebook.
“It is with profound sadness that the Town of Denton announces the death of Denton Police Chief George Bacorn following a motor vehicle collision,” the Facebook post read. “The Town extends its deepest condolences to Chief Bacorn’s family and the members of the Denton Police Department.”
“We ask the public to please respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time and keep his family, the Department, and the Town in their prayers,” the post added.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore shared a photo of himself alongside Chief Bacorn Jr. in a tribute on Facebook.
“Earlier today, I learned that Chief George Bacorn of the Denton Police Department passed away following a motor vehicle collision,” he wrote. “Chief Bacorn served as Chief for 36 years, as well as acting as the head of the [Maryland Municipal League Chiefs] MML Chiefs and Sheriffs Association this year.”
“He embodied the meaning of serving others and dedicated his life to keeping communities safe for everyone,” Moore continued. “Denton, Caroline County, and all of Maryland is a better place because of his courage and public service.”
“I have ordered the Maryland Flag lowered to half-staff and ask all of Maryland to join Dawn and I in praying for his family, the entire Denton Police Department, law enforcement colleagues, and community,” he concluded.
At this time, it remains unclear if Handy, 31, will receive any charges for his role in the fatal collision. The Maryland State Police Crash Team is leading the active and ongoing investigation.
Credit: Courtesy of the Town of Denton
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On Sunday morning, Chief Bacorn Jr.’s body received a “dignified escort” from the Medical Examiner’s Office in Baltimore to Denton. The local community gathered near the Caroline County Courthouse to pay their respects as he passed through the town, Denton Police said on Facebook.
“There are few words that can ease a loss like this,” the post’s caption read. “We hope Chief Bacorn’s family and fellow officers can feel the care of the community around them as we welcome him home.”
The Denton Police Department and the Baltimore Medical Examiner’s Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
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