LEXINGTON PARK, Md. — Families and community members gathered on Sunday, Dec. 1, for the 23rd Annual Silent Angel Memorial, hosted by the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office and led by the Criminal Investigations Division. Held at the Bay District Volunteer Fire Department, the event is a cherished tradition honoring victims of homicide in the community.
The memorial, founded in 2002 by Eileen Bildman after the loss of her son Kevin Clarke, continues to provide solace and remembrance during the holiday season. Each year, family members of victims receive an ornament inscribed with the name, birth date, and date their loved one became a “silent angel.” These ornaments are placed on a memorial tree, which will be displayed in the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office District 3 Station lobby in California, Maryland, through early January.
This year’s event featured heartfelt remarks from Dara Arnold, who represented the Arnold family in remembering Stephen Edward Arnold and Rosalea Denise Arnold, tragically lost in 2020.
Victim Services Coordinator Madisyn Absher shared the history and purpose of the event, emphasizing its role in bringing the community together.
“This memorial is a way to honor the victims of homicide here in St. Mary’s County. The memorial dates back all the way to recorded victims starting in the 1970s,” Absher explained. “We hope to bring the community together with a memorial service that provides comfort and support to the families affected by homicide.”
The Silent Angel Memorial is a non-profit foundation supported by community donations, which fund the annual ceremony and support local programs. Past recipients include Sleep in Heavenly Peace Chapter, The Charlotte Hall Veterans Home, Hospice of St. Mary’s County, Shop With a Cop, and the Dr. James A. Forrest Career & Technology Center.
Donations can be made year-round to The Silent Angel Memorial of St. Mary’s County at P.O. Box 1436, Leonardtown, MD 20650.
The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office expressed gratitude to those who made the event possible, noting on Facebook, “We extend our gratitude to everyone who contributed their time and support to make this memorial a success.”
For photos from this year’s event, visit Flickr.
See the Silent Angels 2024 Memorial video on the SMCSO YouTube page.
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