Story Category: Crime and Punishment »

It is with a heavy heart that Sheriff Timothy K. Cameron announces the passing of St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Intern Tyler Brett Mattingly.  On August 11, 2012, Tyler was traveling northbound on Point Lookout Road in the area of Park Hall Road in Lexington Park, Maryland when his vehicle skidded on the wet pavement, crossed the center line and collided with oncoming traffic.  Tyler succumbed to his injuries at the scene.  Our thoughts and prayers are not only with Tyler and his family, but also with Lindsay Lague and Michael Dillon, the other two individuals injured in the crash and flown from the scene.  We pray for their full recovery.

We read headlines almost every day about young drivers who are killed in motor vehicle accidents.  The horror of the collision and the heartbreaking loss of life is the story and, even more tragically, it leaves us with the lasting memory of a life lost too soon. 

We would like to share a different story, a story beyond the unimaginable sorrow of injury and loss of life.  We would like to share a story of an incredible young man, Tyler Mattingly, who knew at a young age he wanted to be a Deputy Sheriff, but not just any Deputy Sheriff.  Tyler Mattingly’s life-long dream was to be a St. Mary’s County Deputy Sheriff.  In June of 2011 at age 16, Tyler set his dream into motion.  On his own, Tyler contacted Sheriff Cameron and requested the opportunity to volunteer during the summer break between his junior and senior years at Great Mills High School.  He wanted to learn as much as he could about the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office and thought volunteering would be the perfect win/win for him and the Sheriff’s Office. 

Sheriff Cameron admired Tyler’s drive and courage to pursue his dream.  Tyler submitted his volunteer application, was vetted as all volunteers are, and assigned to the Public Information Office as a member of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office 375th Anniversary Book Committee.  Tyler worked alongside accomplished historians, genealogists and preservation experts conducting detailed research into the historic Sheriffs of St. Mary’s County, Maryland.  He was excited about his assignment and, through his empirical research, using Sheriff’s Commissions and other historical data, was able to positively identity all St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s.  Tyler was so diligent in his research that he was able to discover and identify three Sheriffs who had never before been recorded.  His research updated previously documented Sheriffs statistics found and recorded by other historians.  Tyler’s maturity, dedication and research methodology rivaled that of recognized research experts.  His advanced computer skills helped him to navigate through the internet and Maryland Archive records with uncanny ease. 

On June 1, 2012, Sheriff Cameron received a letter from Dr. Edward C. Papenfuse, Maryland State Archivist, praising “the exceptionally high standards of documentation” exercised by our research committee, and notifying the Sheriff that the committee’s research, a great deal of which Tyler helped to conduct, will be incorporated into Maryland’s “online historical list and biographies of Maryland Public Officials”. 

Tyler was not a Monday through Friday intern.  When he wasn’t working on the history books during the week he would spend his time on the weekends riding along with patrol deputies learning as much as he could about the law enforcement profession. 

Tyler also worked with Dr. Gordon and Myra Hughes, Gerry Hughes, Grace Mary Brady, Linda Reno, and Carol Moody recording the history of River Springs as one of his internship projects.Tyler loved going to River Springs.He enjoyed documenting hundreds of years of Blackistone history through scanning and preserving old photographs.But the highlight of these visits were all the special treats Myra made for him to eat, especially the home-made pizza, sugar cookies and cupcakes.

Tyler really relished being a greeter and docent at River Springs during the Maryland House and Garden Pilgrimage held this year on May 5, 2012.He easily related to the guests and his knowledge of the manor home and its contents were apparent to all.

“The Hughes family is honored to have known and worked with this fine young man and will miss him very much.The quality and quantity of work accomplished by Tyler Mattingly this past year will benefit the citizens of St. Mary’s County for years to come.” (Dr. Gordon B. Hughes)

“Tyler Mattingly was wise beyond his seventeen years.He possessed the characteristics and integrity of an aspiring law enforcement professional.There is no doubt in our minds Tyler could have accomplished anything he set his mind to.He was a valued member of our Sheriff’s Office family.We will miss him dearly but remember him fondly.Our hearts go out to Tyler’s mother Terri, his family and his many friends.May they take comfort in knowing the profound difference he made on the lives of those who had the privilege of knowing him.”(Sheriff Timothy K. Cameron)