Hundreds of police officers, emergency responders, town and county officials and residents paid their respects to late Denton Police Chief George Bacorn on Sunday morning.
Hundreds of police officers, emergency responders, town and county officials and residents paid their respects to late Denton Police Chief George Bacorn on Sunday morning.
Hundreds of police officers, emergency responders, town and county officials and residents paid their respects to late Denton Police Chief George Bacorn on Sunday morning.
KONNER METZ/STAR DEMOCRAT
Police officers, residents and community members take a solemn moment Sunday to remember and honor the late Denton Police Chief George Bacorn.
KONNER METZ/STAR DEMOCRAT
An American flag and Back the Blue flag are held together Sunday during Denton Police Chief George Bacorn's escort home.
KONNER METZ/STAR DEMOCRAT
A Denton Police car, with garlands and flowers, sitting outside the department on N 3rd Street on Sunday, in honor of Police Chief George Bacorn.
KONNER METZ/STAR DEMOCRAT
Hundreds of police officers, emergency responders, town and county officials and residents paid their respects to late Denton Police Chief George Bacorn on Sunday morning.
DENTON — George Bacorn was lauded as a larger-than-life, irreplaceable figure in the Denton community and beyond as police officers, residents and town officials gathered during his escort home Sunday morning.
Amid heavy rain, hundreds of people showed out to pay their respects to the late police chief, a 36-year veteran of the Denton Police Department. Bacorn, 62, died in a crash Friday, Sept. 25, in Easton.
Caroline County Sheriff Donald Baker and Chief Deputy Rodney Helmer helped organize the law enforcement lineup on Market Street as an escort brought Bacorn home from the medical examiner in Baltimore.
"George was bigger than life, I think we all know that here," Baker said to a crowd. "I know that we’re all a big family. Most of us here spent the last week at the chiefs and sheriffs conference with George and had some really good time."
The massive turnout attested to Baker's words. Police agencies across the state, big and small, were in attendance. Residents sported American flags, as well as flags with blue lines in support of law enforcement.
Fordie and Carolyn Brown stood under the Market Street Pub awning prior to the escort's arrival and reflected on the police chief's impact on the community. Fordie said Bacorn went goose hunting with Fordie's cousin's son, and was looking forward to doing more of it after retirement.
"George was a good guy," Fordie said. "He was a super, super guy," added Carolyn.
Pastor Doug Morley, the chaplain for the Denton Police Department, led the crowd in a prayer outside the Caroline County Courthouse. He reflected on seeing Bacorn just over two weeks prior for the town's 9/11 remembrance ceremony.
"I didn’t know I was going to be sitting on these steps on another rainy day grieving his loss," Morley said. "But we also celebrate his life."
"For 36 years, he answered the call to serve in law enforcement," Morley later said. "And through countless days and nights and moments of celebration and moments of crisis, he carried the responsibility of protecting his community."
Just after 11 a.m., the police escort arrived.
A large American flag hung over Route 404 Business as it leads onto Market Street, erected by two fire apparatuses. Ten motorcycles and more than 25 other police, emergency and fire vehicles escorted Bacorn's body past the courthouse and town office and onto 2nd Street, where the funeral home is located.
Police officers, emergency responders, residents and Bacorn's family shared hugs, memories and joined together at the Denton fire house after the escort.
Bacorn was a stalwart of the police department, serving since 1990. He was promoted to deputy chief in 2013. After a stint as acting chief, he was officially sworn in on July 1, 2021.
Bacorn served as chairman of the Maryland Municipal League’s Police Executive Association and represented police executives on the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission. He was previously secretary of the association, and has testified before the Maryland General Assembly on legislation.
His death came at an already difficult time for law enforcement on the Eastern Shore. Cambridge Police Department Capt. Shane Hinson died Monday, Sept. 21, after serving the community for 27 years.
Sue Nickerson, president of Blue Star Survivors and mother of a fallen officer, Michael S. Nickerson of the Centreville Police Department, attended Sunday's escort. The Blue Star Survivors have been in contact with Bacorn's family, she said, during these unimaginable times.
Nickerson's advice for family, friends and all those impacted by the recent deaths of law enforcement officers in the area is to take it "one day at a time."
"It’s OK to deal with your own feelings," Nickerson said. "Don’t try to keep them in, believe me, you’re better off if you express yourself. Accept the help’s that there."
Bacorn's funeral will be held this Saturday, Oct. 3, at North Caroline High School in Ridgely. The Denton Police Department said all are welcome to attend. Visitation is from 10 a.m. to noon, and the service begins at noon.
Bacorn's family asks that donations in honor of the chief be sent to: Shop with a Cop for FOP Lodge 118 (100 N. Third Street Denton, MD 21629); or Caroline CARES, through For All Seasons (111 E. Dover Street Easton, MD 21601).
Pouring rain didn't stop hundreds from paying respect to the late George Bacorn, Denton's police chief.
Caroline County Sheriff Donald Baker, left, and Chief Deputy Rodney Helmer, center, speak to a crowd outside the courthouse about Denton Police Chief George Bacorn's impact on the community.
Hundreds of police officers, emergency responders, town and county officials and residents paid their respects to late Denton Police Chief George Bacorn on Sunday morning.
Hundreds of police officers, emergency responders, town and county officials and residents paid their respects to late Denton Police Chief George Bacorn on Sunday morning.
Hundreds of police officers, emergency responders, town and county officials and residents paid their respects to late Denton Police Chief George Bacorn on Sunday morning.
Hundreds of police officers, emergency responders, town and county officials and residents paid their respects to late Denton Police Chief George Bacorn on Sunday morning.
Hundreds of police officers, emergency responders, town and county officials and residents paid their respects to late Denton Police Chief George Bacorn on Sunday morning.
Hundreds of police officers, emergency responders, town and county officials and residents paid their respects to late Denton Police Chief George Bacorn on Sunday morning.
Hundreds of police officers, emergency responders, town and county officials and residents paid their respects to late Denton Police Chief George Bacorn on Sunday morning.
Hundreds of police officers, emergency responders, town and county officials and residents paid their respects to late Denton Police Chief George Bacorn on Sunday morning.
Hundreds of police officers, emergency responders, town and county officials and residents paid their respects to late Denton Police Chief George Bacorn on Sunday morning.
Hundreds of police officers, emergency responders, town and county officials and residents paid their respects to late Denton Police Chief George Bacorn on Sunday morning.
Hundreds of police officers, emergency responders, town and county officials and residents paid their respects to late Denton Police Chief George Bacorn on Sunday morning.
Hundreds of police officers, emergency responders, town and county officials and residents paid their respects to late Denton Police Chief George Bacorn on Sunday morning.
Hundreds of police officers, emergency responders, town and county officials and residents paid their respects to late Denton Police Chief George Bac