Residents of a Maryland town are grieving the loss of their longtime police chief, who died after a delivery truck collided head-on with his vehicle.
Denton Police Chief George William Bacorn Jr., 62, was killed Friday morning in a crash on a roadway near Easton, a neighboring town.
Shortly before 11:30 a.m., Bacorn was traveling east in a Chevrolet Tahoe behind a Chevrolet Silverado. At the same time, 31-year-old Antonio Jaquan Handy was driving a Ford Transit delivery van westbound.
Maryland State Police said the delivery truck crossed the double yellow center line for reasons that remain unknown. It first clipped the Silverado’s side mirror before striking Bacorn’s SUV.
Bacorn was pronounced dead at the crash site. Handy sustained serious injuries and was flown to a nearby trauma center, according to authorities.
The driver of the Silverado was not injured, and police reported no other injuries.
The Maryland State Police Crash Team is leading the investigation. Its findings will be submitted to the Talbot County State’s Attorney’s Office, which will decide whether charges should be brought against the delivery truck driver.
Denton, the Caroline County seat on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, has rallied around Bacorn’s family and department. He had served as the town’s police chief for 36 years, making his death a profound loss for the community and the state.
Denton Police Chief George William Bacorn Jr., 62, died in a Friday morning crash in Maryland. He is shown at right accepting an award recognizing 35 years of service
Bacorn died at the scene after a delivery truck traveling in the opposite direction crossed the double yellow line and struck his vehicle head-on
Bacorn, who served as Denton police chief for 36 years, was widely respected in the community. Maryland Governor Wes Moore issued a statement honoring his life and service
The Town of Denton announced the death in a statement, saying it was “with profound sadness” that the community was mourning Chief George Bacorn after the collision.
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Town officials expressed their deepest condolences to Bacorn’s family and to the members of the Denton Police Department.
The statement also asked residents to respect the family’s privacy and keep Bacorn’s loved ones, his department and the town in their thoughts and prayers.
Governor Wes Moore said Bacorn represented the highest ideals of public service and had devoted his life to protecting communities.
Moore added that Denton, Caroline County and Maryland as a whole were stronger because of Bacorn’s courage and dedication.
The governor ordered Maryland flags to be lowered to half-staff and called on residents to join him and his wife in praying for Bacorn’s family, the Denton Police Department and law enforcement officers across the state.
After his death, Bacorn’s body was taken to the Baltimore Medical Examiner’s Office. Officials organized a formal escort Sunday to return his remains to Denton.
Roads along the approximately two-hour journey from Baltimore, Maryland’s largest city, to Denton were closed as the procession made its way home.
Police lined the roads next to their cruisers along the route of a dignified escort of Bacorn’s remains from Baltimore back to Denton
Firefighters also lined the road and stood on top of their engines as the procession drove by
The first responders solemnly saluted in the rain as they paid respect to the police chief. Officers are pictured saluting as the procession arrived in Denton
Officers also held up American flags as they stood along the procession route
A large procession of cars joined the escort, and police officers and firefighters lined the roads with their cruisers and fire engines.
The first responders stood next to their vehicles or on top of them and solemnly saluted the procession as it drove by in the rain.
