LEONARDTOWN, Md. – The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office held the 24th Annual Silent Angel Memorial on Sunday, December 7, bringing families, friends, and community members together to honor the lives of homicide victims who lived in St. Mary’s County.
The ceremony took place at the Bay District Volunteer Fire Department, where attendees gathered as ornaments bearing the names, dates of birth, and dates each individual became a “Silent Angel” were presented and placed on the memorial tree.
Mr. Steve Bildman, husband of Eileen Bildman, who founded the Silent Angel Memorial, was in attendance, continuing the legacy of remembrance and healing she began. Detective Jeff Gray of the Maryland Crime Victim’s Resource Center was also present, offering support and resources to families throughout the evening.
In his welcoming remarks, Sheriff Steve Hall said, “This has become one of the most important traditions of the Office of the Sheriff. For over two decades, we’ve gathered together in our grief to support each other in bearing the loss of a loved one and to encourage each other while celebrating the lives and the light of our angels.”
Chaplain Charlie Wharton delivered the address, reflecting on the enduring impact of loss. He called attention to the November 2021 homicides of Martina Lynn Patterson and Lyneasha Justice Greenwell, reminding families that “we will not forget,” a sentiment that spoke to every life memorialized during the ceremony. A recording of Chaplain Wharton’s remarks, followed by the presentation of the Silent Angels’ names, is available on the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office YouTube page at www.youtube.com/@first-sheriff.
The Sheriff’s Office extended special appreciation to the cadets of the James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center Criminal Justice program, who assisted in presenting and displaying the ornaments for families throughout the evening.
The decorated memorial tree will remain on display in the lobby of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office District 3 Station in California through the first week of January.
For more information about the Silent Angel Memorial, please contact Mary Ross at 301-475-4200, ext. 1971, or Mary.Ross@stmaryscountymd.gov.