Maryland police chief George William Bacorn Jr was killed in a head-on collision with a delivery truck on Friday morning, prompting mourning across the town he had served for 36 years.
The 62-year-old Denton police chief was driving a Chevrolet Tahoe near Easton shortly before 11.30am when a Ford Transit crossed the double yellow centre line and struck his vehicle, Maryland State Police said.
The truck, driven by 31-year-old Antonio Jaquan Handy, was travelling in the opposite direction. It first hit the side mirror of a Chevrolet Silverado before colliding with Mr Bacorn’s car.
Police said the reason the delivery truck crossed the centre line remained unknown. Mr Bacorn was pronounced dead at the scene, while Mr Handy suffered severe injuries and was airlifted to a local trauma centre.
The driver of the Silverado was not injured, and no other injuries were reported.
The Maryland State Police Crash Team is investigating the circumstances of the collision. Its findings will be submitted to the Office of the State’s Attorney in Talbot County, which will determine whether charges should be brought against Mr Handy.
Denton, the seat of Caroline County on Maryland’s eastern shore, announced the chief’s death in a statement expressing “profound sadness” and offering condolences to his family and the Denton Police Department.
The town asked the public to respect the family’s privacy and to keep Mr Bacorn’s relatives, colleagues and the wider community in their prayers.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore said the chief “embodied the meaning of serving others and dedicated his life to keeping communities safe for everyone”. He added: “Denton, Caroline County, and all of Maryland is a better place because of his courage and public service.”
Mr Moore ordered the Maryland flag to be lowered to half-staff and asked residents to join him and his wife in praying for Mr Bacorn’s family, the police department and the wider law enforcement community.
Mr Bacorn’s body was taken to the Baltimore Medical Examiner’s Office after the crash. On Sunday, officials arranged an escort to return his remains to Denton along a route that took about two hours.
Roads were closed as a large procession made its way from Baltimore. Police officers and firefighters stood beside their cruisers and fire engines, with some positioned on top of the vehicles, and saluted as the procession passed in the rain.
