Advertisement Harford County honors Deputy First Class Mark Logsdon Slain deputies receive Medals of Honor Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Thousands gathered Saturday morning in Bel Air to hear stories and fond memories honoring Deputy First Class Mark Logsdon.Download the WBAL appVIDEO: Gov. Hogan | County Executive Glassman | Sheriff Gahler | Capt. Crabbs | DFC Hoppa | Cpl. Argenbright | Michael BubertLogsdon was described as a loud, boisterous, fun-loving man who was looking forward to becoming a grandfather.Logsdon, a 16-year veteran of the Harford County Sheriff's Office and Army veteran, was fatally shot by 68-year-old Brian Evans, who first opened fire on another deputy, Patrick Dailey, a 30-year Sheriff's Office veteran, inside a Panera Bread restaurant in Abingdon on Feb. 10. Logsdon came into contact with Evans minutes later in a parking lot nearby and was fatally shot. Responding deputies killed the gunman."Mark responded to a call for a deputy in dire need and his actions most certainly saved lives," Harford County Sheriff Jeff Gahler said. Funeral services began at 10 a.m. at Harford Community College. Speakers remembered Logsdon's commitment to the community, his volunteerism and his great smile."Our entire state grieves the loss of one of its heroes today," Gov. Larry Hogan said. "To those through whom his story will live on, he will never be forgotten.""Though we say farewell to a cherished member of the law enforcement family ... we express a heartfelt thank you, and as we celebrate his incredible life, we offer our most sincere appreciation for the final sacrifice Deputy Logsdon made in the name of duty," Hogan said."Harford County says, 'Job well done, my good and faithful servant. God be with you, until we meet again,'" Harford County Executive Barry Glassman said."We live in a better world because of Mark," Gahler said. "He was a hero to many."VIDEO: DFC Marty Hoppa shares fond memories, storiesLogsdon, 43, was assigned to the Community Services Division. He is survived by his wife, three children and his parents."Mark wanted to make a difference not only for himself but for the men and women he served with," said Capt. Mike Crabbs, commander of the Community Services Division.Gahler told 11 News Thursday that while Logsdon appreciated the promotion to senior deputy, he was most proud to be called deputy first class."Both of our deputies gave their life in the line of duty, and for that, we have awarded two Medals of Honor, one for Senior Deputy Pat (Dailey), and one for Mark (Logsdon), and I pray I never award another one," Gahler said.At the funeral Saturday, Gahler thanked Logsdon's family for their sacrifice."Thank you for allowing Mark to be part of our lives, for sharing him on birthdays and anniversaries, weekends and holidays, and all the other countless times he was away from you," Gahler said.VIDEO: Cpl. Adam Argenbright shares how Deputy Logsdon LOVED golfPeople in the community who knew Logsdon said he was deeply connected to the community.Deputy First Class Marty Hoppa shared fond memories and stories of Logsdon, from when he returned from serving overseas to his love for the Seattle Seahawks."Mark was more to me than just a coworker and a friend. He was family and he died a hero," Hoppa said."Whenever Mark and I would go out, we'd always tell our wives, 'We're not going to stay our late,' and, 'We're not going to drink too many beers.' Well, we'd always have so much fun that we'd always be there for last call. Unfortunately, we're here today for Mark's last call," Hoppa said.Maryland State Police Cpl. Adam Argenbright shared how Logsdon absolutely loved golf and how he would write messages on his golf balls.And, in the middle of her grief, his wife, Jennifer, sent a message to the community:"Dear Family, Friends, and Community,"Words cannot express our gratitude for the overwhelming support since the death of my hero, DFC Mark Logsdon of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office. My family and I are heartbroken by Mark’s death but are finding peace and comfort in the kindness of strangers, the love of our community, the support of allied law enforcement agencies, and the prayers of many."We live in a better world because of Mark. He was a hero to many."- Harford County Sheriff Jeff Gahler"Mark proudly wore the uniform of a Harford County Deputy Sheriff and worked every day to protect his community, but beneath the uniform he was just Mark ... a great guy, a great friend, and a great deputy. To the Sheriff’s Office, thank you for being Mark’s friend. He loved each of you and was so proud to be a member of the law enforcement community."Mark was not only my husband, he was my best friend. We dreamed of the days of retirement, warm weather, and endless golf courses. Now, I would give everything away and live in a cardboard box, if I could just be with Mark again. He was -- he is -- my world and I don’t know how I will move forward without him by my side. He was truly special. He was a hero every day, not just to me, but to his parents, his sister, and three beautiful children."This week has devastated my life and reminded me that life is precious and can change in the blink of an eye. Mark would want me to tell all of you to live life as he did -- to the fullest. Love each other, laugh with each other, and always remember to cherish every moment, as if it could be your last."And while I know that you all share in my grief, I ask for privacy. As I try to simply survive the next few days, my family and I ask for your understanding and patience. Please give me the opportunity to find solace in my memories and privately grieve the loss of my Mark."With love and respect,Jennifer Logsdon"In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758515, Topeka, KS 66675 or to the Mark Logsdon Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 1176, Aberdeen, MD 21001.VIDEO: This is what it means to be Harford Strong"This is the second funeral and the end of kind of the formal part of things. It's far, far, far from the end. We'll never get to the end. We're going to look out for the families. We're going to remember our heroes and what they gave for the citizens, and again, the citizens are showing us that they're going to remember as well," Gahler said.Remember they have, leaving pictures, prayers and kind words at memorials that have only grown in size since the shooting."It can happen anywhere, and I think that that's the scary thing a little bit, as a community member, but to know that we have brave officers behind us who are willing to put themselves on the line to protect us is just incredible," said Tom Smith, of Abingdon."I just wish him well and I hope everybody prays for them, that they get back on their feet," said Beverly Frankenberger, of Aberdeen.No matter the circumstances, the work continues on a job that can't stop in a community that won't stop."This tragedy happened, but as a community, we can move forward, and we're going to stay strong and we're going to say we're not afraid and we trust our law enforcement to keep us safe," Smith said.The fatal shootings were the first such killings of law enforcement officers in Harford County since 1899.