Category: Community Studies

Remembering Three Fallen Officers in Crisfield

About ten years ago, I was involved in researching a piece on the history of criminal justice on the Lower Shore and came across some sketchy indicators that three Crisfield Police Officers had died in the line of duty. The number of line of duty deaths in such a small town surprised me so I decided to dig into this subject.  The obvious sources, such as the National Law Enforcement and State Memorials, did not list the fallen officers. So I traveled down to Somerset County for some fieldwork, since surely someone in the town would have information. But to my surprise, I came back empty-handed, even after a visit to the police department.

But that changed a few years ago after First Sgt. Stanley Harmon joined the Crisfield Police Department. Having recently retired from a law enforcement career in the Baltimore Metropolitan area, where he’d served in a variety of units, including homicide, the 50-something officer was interested in the history of his new department. While doing research to dig up the history of the agency, he too came across the names of Night Chief Daugherty, Chief Kirwin, and Policeman Daugherty, the officers that had fallen in the line of duty while maintaining peace in the Chesapeake Bay town.

After making the discovery, he created a memorial at the Crisfield Police Station. Then he took on the task of getting these public servants listed on the Officer Down Memorial. He also sat out to get the men added to the National Law Enforcement Memorial and that happened On May 13 during a candlelight vigil ceremony.

I think Sgt. Harmon for making sure these fallen law enforcement officers from Crisfield were remembered. For a little more information on these fallen officers click here to go to my regular history blog.

“The Not So Average Man” the Garnett Alumni Remembers

 

Saturday afternoon, we attended a most informative and enjoyable program at the Henry Highland Garnett Elementary School in Chestertown sponsored by the Garnett High School Alumni.  The theme of this year’s program was “the not so average man,” and it celebrated the memory of Elmer T. Hawkins, the school principal. A large assembly of alumni, former teachers, friends, and other interested individuals gathered to remember Mr. Hawkins.

He came to the Eastern Shore in 1926 to serve as a teacher/principal of the old Henry Highland Garnett High School and in 1950 he moved to the modern facility.  Mr. Hawkins served as that institution’s principal until 1967, when the system was integrated and he was appointed principal of Chestertown Middle School.   After proudly serving Kent County for 46 years and facing challenges that are hard to understand for the current generation, he retired in 1972 and passed away in 1973. 

The program involved a rousing mix of signing, inspirational speaking, and remembrances by former students and faculty.   As guests and speakers spoke, glowingly recalling experiences at the school, the gratitude everyone had for the tireless principal and faculty was obvious as was the close-knit relationship of this group.  They didn’t have the best materials or facilities in the era of segregated education, but the faculty and principal compensated by working even harder to prepare their pupils for the challenges of the world and they did everything possible to make sure students excelled academically. 

It was enlightening to hear about the challenges, the good times, and the lessons learned in the school and how those memories will never be forgotten by those privileged enough to have known and studied under the respected principal and his faculty.  One can only think about how proud the distinguished educator must have been each year as his graduating seniors, ready for the challenes beyond the supportive halls of Garnett, walked across the stage to receive well-deserved diplomas. 

Jane, Kyle, and I were so pleased that we had the opportunity to hear about this special man and attend the inspiring event.  Many schools have strong alumni associations, but Henry Highland Garnett has a great one.  Although it’s been over 40 years since teens completed the quick, fleeting journey through the halls of the school, the many valuable experiences, lessons and knowledge, and life-long friendships were obvious to us.  Thank you for sharing these memories, for allowing us to learn about this respected educator, and for your hospitality.  Our enjoyable experience on a beautiful Saturday afternoon in Chestertown was the subject of our conversation on the drive back to Elkton, and they continued on Sunday morning.  As the program said, Elmer T. Hawkins made society a better place to live.

henry highland garnett alumni committee in 2008
The Henry Highland Garnett Alumni Committee in 2008

For additional photos, see the Garnett Alumni Association 2008 album on Facebook.

“Histories of Newark” Published

Sunday, I visited the Newark Historical Society’s Museum on Main Street to acquire a copy of a new title, Histories of Newark, 1758 – 2008, published by the Delaware Heritage Commission and the City of Newark. The attractive title will serve as a valuable reference and it is enjoyable to read.  By-the-way, if you’re on Main Street stop in and see the displays since they are informative.  It was a good weekend for acquiring research materials for my collection.