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Howard County Police Retired Officers’ Association
Briefing Notes
April 2015
The Newsletter for the HCPROA
P.O. Box 2302, Ellicott City, MD 21042
Volume 1 no. 4
www.hcproa.com
During the early 1960’s, as HCPD was increasing the size of the force, an
influx of Baltimore City police officers made the transition. One of those
officers was Maurice “Mo” Miller. Retired Lieutenant Miller was sworn
in as one of the first twenty-five officers of the HCPD. Like many of the
“Old Timers,” Maurice made his mark on the Department and the
County.
Everybody knew Maurice. His visibility in the County was probably due
to the fact that he was one of the first officers assigned to community
relations and was later named as the Commander of the Community
Service Program and the Community Assistance Program. Giving
Maurice his due credit, he was responsible for the development of each
of the these programs and the beginning of the Traffic Enforcement Unit. He brought electronic traffic enforcement and
radar, to HCPD. If you wonder who is responsible for that parking ticket you received in the County, it is Maurice Miller.
He wrote the initial parking regulations for the County and served as the County’s first traffic engineer, before anybody
knew a traffic engineer was needed in the County.
Maurice’s major impact in the Department was not at all what he did or implemented. It was
giving the HCPD two other Millers. Maurice proudly comments, and boasts that his son, retired
sergeant Mark Miller also had an extremely successful career. Additionally, Maurice’s police
influence also is shown by his daughter, Wendy Miller, a veteran of the Department.
Today, Maurice has retired a second time after owning a food service business on the Eastern
Shore of Maryland. He and his wife Carolyn are living in Easton, Maryland, and are relishing the
time they have with their two grandchildren, ages 2 and 4. Maurice says, “They are close and living
on Kent Island. We see them often.” The grandchildren will help Maurice celebrate his seventyfifth birthday this coming July.
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Poster designed by: A. Kemp Freund
The first HCPROA happy hour was a success. It gave a few members a chance to socialize and relax at a local Ellicott City
pub. Members and their wives/significant others gathered around the high topped tables and ate, laughed and shared
stories about work, family and children. As usual, Bares Bones, the management, and the servers were extremely
accommodating and attentive as we spent about three hours just frolicking. We wish to express our thanks for their
support. The Association has planned at least two other happy hours during this calendar year. Check the web site, future
issues of the “Briefing Notes” newsletter, or you may just simply wait to receive an email stating the location and time of
the next scheduled Happy Hour. We all look forward to seeing you there.
A proud supporter and
contributor of HCPROA
www.hcproa.com
On May 18, 2015, Gary Gardner was sworn in as the 11th
Chief of Police of the Howard County Police Department.
Gardner was appointed Acting Chief of Police after the
retirement of Chief McMahon. The ceremony was held
at the George Howard Building, Ellicott City, and was
attended by sworn officers, civilians, elected officials and
a
very
large
group
of
retired
officers.
“Tim, I don’t know if you realize just how many young
officers you have impacted in a positive way during your
career, but I want to thank you for everything you did for
me….providing a strong foundation for learning, ….and
leading by example. You taught me about earning trust
& respect, both from the community and fellow
officers. To this day, I use you as an example when
speaking to first line supervisors in training………….you
were a model supervisor and I thank you for your
leadership and friendship.”
“And after Tim, I was fortunate to have several other
excellent supervisors that provided great leadership and
mentorship over the years…..Chief Jeff Spaulding, Retired
Cpt. Steve Drummond, and Lt. Jay Zumbrun…to name just
a few. Thank you all very much……you have all had a
positive influence on me, that has helped me become the
person I am today.”
From Left to Right: James Robey, Wayne Livesay, Gary Gardner,
William McMahon, County Executive Alan Kittleman
After taking the “Oath of Office,” Chief Gardner, paid
tribute to the other surviving Chiefs; Robey, Livesay, and
McMahon, who were also present for the festivities.
Gardner also thanked all those retirees that had
influenced him during his very lengthy and successful
career. In particular was his tribute to his FTO, Ret. Lt.
Tim Branning. Gardner stated;
“And while it’s impossible to acknowledge everyone who
has impacted one’s career ………I feel it’s important to
acknowledge one more person……… my first supervisor Sergeant Tim Branning. “
“I can’t stress enough the importance and influence a
strong – principle centered supervisor can have on a
young officer. Tim taught a squad of young officers fresh
out of the Academy about “doing the right thing” and
doing it the “Howard County Way.” Translation: – Treat
people fairly, with dignity and respect as you may be
dealing with them when they are having their worst
day…….and provide citizens with the best customer
service possible. Both sayings are similar, but very critical
for a young officer to hear and learn early in their career.”
Here’s something that some people may remember:
In our latest featured cold case, police continue to seek
information regarding the double homicide of Joseph
Selby, 56, and his wife, Betty
Selby, 51, which took place
34 years ago. The couple died
in their home at 12102
Frederick Road, Ellicott City,
on Friday, March 6, 1981, at
approximately 9:40 p.m.
They died from smoke
inhalation as the result of an
arson fire set inside their home while they slept.
Mr. Selby was the manager of The Enchanted Forest, the
former fairytale-themed amusement park on Route 40
frequented by generations of families until its closure in
1995. Investigation would indicate that the
perpetrator(s) had a grudge against them or someone in
the family. It should have been obvious to the arsonist
that the home was occupied at the time of the fire.
A reward of up to $10,000 for information is being
offered in the case. Anyone with information is urged to
contact Investigator Nick DeCarlo at 410-313-3324.
Callers may remain anonymous.
Source: HCPD Facebook
“Bo Comes to Town”
Early Columbia 1967 – 1977
On any given day, about once a month, Bo Haslup comes
down from the hills of Frederick County, and joins former
co-workers for lunch. This is his monthly taste of the city.
For an hour, there's laughter and good conversation
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Left to Right: Charlie Ellenberger, Larry Corum, Frank Dawson,
Herman Charity, Howard Ferguson, Jim Robey, and Bo Haslup
while they enjoy their healthy foods and salads. At least
everybody except Charlie Ellenberger, who invariably
orders "chicken strips and well done french fries." There
only a few war stories, but mostly, tales of the aches,
pains, surgeries, and the traumas that they all have
experienced. No talking police work, just experiencing
the brotherhood, and letting each other know what the
other is doing. No politics for Robey, no real estate for
Fergi, and no security talk for Charlie. It's just a “fine time
to be had by all who are present."
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While our friends in Florida were experiencing sunshine
and warmth, those in Arizona might be having some rain,
and the Carolinas may be a bit chilly, we in Maryland
have been bludgeoned with snow. Most of us have spent
numerous hours these past month shoveling snow and
plowing our driveways. Although the snow looks nice, it’s
truly a pain, in the back more than anyplace else.
last month I flipped on the front porch light at 10:00
p.m. only to find one of the culprits on the first step of the
porch!”
He adds, “Now
the pickin’s must
be
slim!
Butch and Rose Ann Schuler, warming in their home in
Carroll County, had an unexpected visitor one Friday
night and then again on a Saturday morning. Butch
reports, “For the first time in the 22
years we have lived here, the ground
has been covered with snow long
enough that the local deer
population are now feeding on the
landscaping plants immediately
around our house! At first this was a
nocturnal ordeal and we would just
see the tracks in the snow (and plant
damage) the next morning. One night
What was the first man-made lake in Columbia?
In 1969 what was the tallest building in Columbia?
When Columbia opened, there were two
entrances into the town. South Entrance Rd was
one of them. What was the name of the other
road?
What was the opening date of “The Mall in
Columbia?”
What is the name of first residential village in
Columbia?
What was the name of the convenience store
located on Green Mountain Circle next to the
swimming pool?
What was the name of the fast food hamburger
spot in Wilde Lake Village?
What was the original name of the apartment
complex on Tens Mills Rd? (Remember – Part of
Ten Mills Rd is now Columbia Rd.)
During the early years, 1967- 1968, Columbia only
had one Bank. What was the name of that bank?
What was the location of the first stop light in
Columbia?
What was unusual about the Stop Lights located in
Columbia?
What was the first village built east of Route 29?
What year was Route 175 built joining East and
west Columbia?
extremely
That
morning at 8:00
a.m.
this was
what I saw out
the side-light of
our front door!”
It’s surprising since both were cops, Rose Ann, a HCPD
veteran, and Butch, Ret. Capt., MD Natural Resources
Police, that venison is NOT in the freezer. However, Rose
Ann, quickly replies, “Please don’t shoot, I don’t want to
have to replace the front door.”
The first issues of Briefing Notes have been very
interesting. A lot of good information, pictures,
history, and memorable events mentioned.
Two events mentioned stood out in my memory; the
St. John’s Jewelers incident and the move from Fells
Lane to the Brightwell Drive HQ. Anyone involved in
the St. John’s Jeweler’s incident remembers it. A
forgotten fact is one of the suspects in that case
escaped from corrections custody a short time later.
The suspect was later captured in a Columbia
neighborhood when Det. Bobby “BJ” Jones received
a tip from a source where the suspect might be
hiding. HCPD detectives including Wayne White,
Steve Greisz, Bobby Jones, Tim Branning, and Terry
Schlossnagle conducted surveillance that evening
and captured the suspect without incident.
celebration. Admittedly, some fond memories were
forged at the Fells Lane station. Many of us began our
careers with HCPD there. It was small and was not fancy,
but we made it work.
Year 2000 memories; Jeff Spaulding was Deputy Chief of
Operations, Mark Paterni Deputy Chief of Administration.
Jay Zumbrun was Northern District Commander, Howard
Ferguson had Southern District Command. Bill McKeldin
was in charge of CIB, while Mike Kessler was SOD
Commander. Kenny Fleischmann was promoted to
lieutenant and Mike Hajek, Norm Snyder, and Denny
Vittetoe made sergeant. Joe Gibbons made corporal.
Retiree Bill Vogel was the Officer of the month in
November. HCPD sworn strength was 328 officers, calls
for service totaled 114,524. On a personal note, Captain
Mike Kessler offered me a job at HCPD in the Traffic
Management Section. I’m still there!
HCPROA highlights from March 2010: HCPROA still
pursuing non-profit tax status. Sue Goldman thanked
HCPROA for the love and support shown during Lee’s
illness and passing. President Hafner presented Chief
McMahon a check for $1,800 raised from golf outing.
Howard Cogle thanked the HCPROA for hosting his long
overdue retirement badge ceremony.
1973 Fells Lane HCPD Headquarters
The move to Brightwell Drive was a huge step
forward. We moved from a small, outdated building
to a new, modern, state of the art building with room
to spare for all facets of the Department. Plenty of
parking close to the building was a plus, unlike Fells
Lane where we parked on the lot behind the old
Main Street firehouse and walked up the hill to HQ.
Two gas pumps versus one at Fells Lane made end of
shift fueling much easier. A new shoulder patch,
which remains today and was designed by Bob
Matthews, was introduced as part of that
1974 HCPD Headquarters – Courthouse Drive
Bill McMahon is now working at MPCTC in the Leadership
Development Program. Merritt Bender is now an
investigator with the NSA.
Denise Francis retired in February after serving 25 years
with HCPD. Career assignments included Patrol, CIB, and
Youth Division.
Sadly, Bobby Wagner’s father passed away on March 2nd.
Mr. Wagner was 74 and a retired Baltimore firefighter.
Retired Howard Circuit Court Judge Cornelius Sybert
passed away on February 24th. Judge Sybert was on the
Howard bench for seven and one-half years.
Out on Sick Leave: John Yeager and Harry Wink, both
recovering from recent surgeries. We are thinking about
you guys! Drop them a card or email.
Promotion Quiz
(answers)
About once every three to four months, Jim Lilley, gets a
group of former co-workers together. He has always
referred to the gathering as the “Lunch Run.” Along with
Jim and Jody, there are two individuals that consistently
attend. Howard Cogle always brings his laughter, and
along with that, has Bob Moore as a passenger. The two
leave the Eastern Shore of Maryland early to make the
Lunch Run.
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Wilde Lake
American Cities Building
North Entrance Road
August 2, 1971
Wilde Lake Village
7-11
Jack-in –the-Box
Hannibal Grove
Columbia Bank and Trust
Twin Rivers Rd & Gov. Warfield Pkwy.
They were horizontal
Oakland Mills Village
1975
Mark Your Calendar
L to R: Larry Corum, Donny Newcomer, Paul Steppe, Bob Moore, Jim Lilley,
Howard Cogle, Herman Charity, Frank Dawson, Charlie Ellenberger, Al Hafner.
Photo by: Jody Lilley
Spring 2014
Phot
HCPROA
Many of us may not have been thinking about law
Bull and Oyster Roast
enforcement as a career when Bob Moore wore the
HCPD uniform of the day. However, most of us who know
Jim Lilley, know the name, Bob Moore. He is undoubtedly
Jim’s Police Mentor, much "Moore" than his FTO. Jim
tells many tales of the escapades of Moore & Company.
Aside from Mr. Myagi, Bob Moore probably has had the
“Briefing Notes Contributors”
20+ years, has also had an enormous impact.”
Maurice Miller, Jim Lilley, Jody Lilley, A. Kemp
Freund, Butch Schuler and Rose Ann Schuler, and
Chief Gary Gardner
This quarterly event almost always takes place at Mimi’s
Publication Historian & Photo Librarian: Al Hafner
Cafe in east Columbia. If you would like to take part in
Poster: A. Kemp Freund
the
Columnist: Tim Branning
most influence in Jim’s life. Jim adds, “Jody, my wife of
Lunch
Run,
simply
send
Jim
an
email, [email protected], and he will contact you.
Photographs: Jody Lilley, Butch Schuler
There’s good food and a lot of laughs.
Consultant: Herman Charity
Copy Editors: Jean Freund, Terri Rinkinen
Editor: Frank Dawson