The History of the Maryland State Police Motorcycle Unit
State Police was organized under the Maryland Commissioner of Motor Vehicles in 1921. Motorcycles were used as the mode of transportation and enforcement.
Officer John W Jeffrey EOW: 9/21/1921 No photo available. Officer John W. Jeffrey, a Motorcyle Officer, served with the Maryland State Police for only two months before succumbing to injuries received after skidding off the roadway during the pursuit of a speeding motorist. Officer Jeffrey’s patrol included Baltimore and Howard Counties. His service to the State of Maryland, despite being just a few short months, does not lessen his sacrifice.
In 1935, the Maryland State Police became its own department. Motorcycles continued to be used until 1950.
In August of 1985 the motorcycles returned.
1920
1920
On October 1, 1925, Officer Cramblitt was in pursuit of a speeding vehicle on Washington-Baltimore Boulevard when a loaded truck pulled out of a side street at a blind crossing. He collided with the side of the truck and was killed instantly. He was assigned to the Laurel Substation and was on the job for only 6 months.
Officer William C. Lochner, a 21 year old Motorcycle Officer, served with the Maryland State Police for 8 months. He unfortunately succumbed to injuries suffered after being forced off the roadway in Havre de Grace while pursuing a speeding motorist. Officer Lochner’s service, despite being just eight months, does not lessen his sacrifice to the citizens of Maryland.
Officer Raymond P. Eicholtz, a 24 years old Motorcycle Officer, was pursuing a speeding vehicle in the Hagerstown area. when another vehicle pulled into his path. Officer Eicholtz attempted to stop his motorcycle, but collided with the vehicle and sustained critical injuries
Noon, James S. – Officer, 1 1/2months of service from October 1, 1927 to December 25, 1927. Officer Noon was chasing a violator and was thrown from his motorcycle. He died from injuries sustained during the accident.
Rhodes, Clinton R. – Officer, 27 years old, 1 year and 8 months of service from May 13, 1929 to January 28, 1931. While traveling by motorcycle on Washington State Road approaching Westminster, he collided with a car near Colonial Avenue. The motorcycle struck the right front fender of the car and Rhodes’ head hit the door. His skull was crushed.
Hubbard, Imia D. – Officer First Class, 27 years old, 2 years and 8 months of service from July 8, 1931 to March 4, 1933. He was killed when his motorcycle struck a truck tire on Washington Boulevard at Savage, 50 feet from the Laurel Substation. He was thrown from his cycle, over the handlebars onto his head. He sustained a fractured skull.
Kuhn, Joseph E. – Officer, 26 years old, 1 year and 8 months of service from August 15, 1932 to April 8, 1934. His motorcycle crashed into the rear of a wagon without regulation rear lights. Believed to have been blinded by the bright headlights of an oncoming vehicle, Kuhn’s sidecar hit a wheel of the wagon. He was thrown from the motorcycle onto the concrete roadway near Mardela Springs outside of Salisbury
Creeger, Carroll C. – Officer First Class, 27 years old, 3 years and 2 months of service from October 12, 1931 to December 23, 1934. While patrolling the Sykesville-West Friendship Road in Howard County, his motorcycle skidded on a patch of ice and threw him off. He suffered a fractured skull.
Shaab, J. F. Leo – Officer, 28 years old, 2 years and 9 months of service from October 1, 1934 to July 22, 1937. Officer Shaab was killed when his motorcycle collided with an automobile while he was rushing to the scene of a highway accident at Dull’s Corner (side street off the Baltimore-Annapolis Blvd.) He was thrown from the cycle. He was taken to the emergency room where he was pronounced dead of a fractured skull, broken neck, cuts, bruises, and internal injuries.
2004
2010
Information and Photos provided by the Maryland State Police