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If you search online for the definition of “friend”, you’ll see that it is “a person you know well, like and trust who is not a family member and who shares affection support and respect for you.” We all enjoy the comfort and closeness of having friends; some are closer to us than others.
On September 28, 2026, our community lost a friend who touched more lives than most of us ever will. Everyone he encountered quickly realized they were in the presence of someone you could consider a friend.
Chief George W. Bacorn Jr. left this world way too soon. The victim of a horrible automobile accident while he was on duty. His wife Charmaine, 5 sons, 13 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren plus several communities of friends are left to deal with life without him. The Town of Denton and its police department for whom he worked for 36 years, Caroline County and the State of Maryland all benefitted from George’s dedication and commitment.
As a dedicated career law enforcement officer and first responder, George served as a member of or an officer of the Denton Volunteer Fire Company, the Municipal Police Executive Association of the Maryland Municipal League, Fraternal Order of Police 118, and the Maryland Police Training Commission. Beyond law enforcement organizations he was a member of and past commodore of the Choptank River Yacht Club and was a member of Temple Lodge #128 AF&AM. His circle of friends was very large, encompassing people from the Town of Denton, Caroline County, and the entire state of Maryland and Delaware.
During the procession home, every overpass from Baltimore down Rt 97 to Rt 50 to Rt 404 had a fire truck or police cruiser or both with uniformed fire and police standing at attention saluting. Those who found themselves caught behind the procession witnessed the emergency vehicles lining the route and every overpass along the route had first responders at attention saluting, in the rain. Every fire company in Caroline, Talbot and Queen Anne County had a piece of equipment manned at some point along the route.
Hundreds awaited his arrival along Market St. Over 50 police vehicles and firetrucks with lights flashing and officers and fireman at attention saluting in the pouring rain. Others with hands over hearts. There were very few dry eyes.
Losing a loved one in a horrible accident is immediate and creates an explosion of grief and emotions. Unlike losing a loved one to a disease that progresses over time, when friends and loved ones can connect with the suffering one facing the inevitable. Unable to say goodbye, we are brought together one last time to remember, reflect and honor the life and accomplishments of Chief George Bacorn.
His service at North Caroline High School auditorium was filled primarily with law enforcement and fire department uniforms. A line of duty death is a constant threat to any first responder and when it occurs the highest honors are bestowed on the deceased and their family.
George spent his entire 36-year law enforcement career with the Denton Police Department. He was like the Cal Ripken and Tony Gwynn of law enforcement. Starting as a rookie police officer he worked his way up the ranks becoming Chief of Police in 2020. Earning the respect and admiration of many local first responders throughout the Eastern Shore and State of Maryland along the way. This was abundantly evident by the multitude of sheriffs, chiefs of police and other uniformed police officers on the stage. In addition, officers and honor guards from every Maryland State Police Barracks were in attendance as well as officers and firefighters from every jurisdiction in the State.
From the procession that took him to the medical examiner’s office and back to Denton, to the Ocean City Police Department mounted police, accompanying the riderless horse with empty boots turned backward in the stirrups., to the 110 plus officers standing at attention in the rain, to the radio transmission announcing Chief George Bacorn’s end of watch on September 25, 2026, at the end of the service the best of our law enforcement community was on display.
The emotional and comforting words of Pastor Dan West and Deputy Chief Jamie Secrist brought home to all of us the importance of remembering and moving on. As Jamie commented to George, “Rest easy Chief, we got if from here.”
Our community came together to remember George and grieve for our loss. As unexplainable as it is, we will adjust. The Denton Police Department and all law enforcement and other first responders will continue to do what they do for our community. We owe it to them to come together, honor and respect them for the jobs that they do, the sacrifices their families make and the ultimate price that some pay.
Rest in Peace my friend Chief George W Bacorn, Jr. The communities and friends you left behind will forever cherish and honor your memory.
