Denton Police Chief George Bacorn Dies in Two-Vehicle Crash on Maryland 331 Near Dover Neck Road, Leaving Town and State Officials Mourning
DENTON, MD — Denton Police Chief George Bacorn died Friday after a crash involving his Chevrolet Tahoe and a delivery truck on Maryland 331 near Dover Neck Road, Maryland State Police said. He was 62.
The Town of Denton announced Bacorn’s death and said it was extending its deepest condolences to his family and to the members of the police department. State police said troopers responded to the scene shortly before 11:30 a.m. on Sept. 25.
Officials said the driver of the delivery truck was flown to a trauma center. The investigation into the collision is continuing.
Maryland State Police respond to crash on MD 331 near Dover Neck Road
Maryland State Police said the crash happened on MD 331 near Dover Neck Road and involved two vehicles: Bacorn’s Chevrolet Tahoe and a delivery truck. Troopers were dispatched after reports of the collision just before 11:30 a.m.
Police have not released additional details about how the crash unfolded or what caused the vehicles to collide. The investigation remains active and ongoing.
Authorities confirmed Bacorn died at the scene. The other driver was airlifted to a trauma center, but police have not publicly identified that person.
Town of Denton honors a chief with decades of service
The town’s announcement framed Bacorn’s death as a major loss for the community and the police department. In its post, Denton said it was offering condolences to his family and to department members who served alongside him.
Bacorn had led the department for 36 years, according to Gov. Wes Moore, who also described him as a public servant committed to keeping communities safe. The governor said Bacorn embodied the meaning of service to others.
In January, the Town of Denton recognized Bacorn with a 35 years of service award, underscoring the length of his career with the department and his long presence in town government.
Governor Wes Moore orders Maryland flags lowered to half-staff
Moore ordered Maryland flags to be lowered to half-staff Friday in Bacorn’s honor. The governor’s statement tied the tribute to Bacorn’s career in Denton and his role leading the Maryland Municipal League Chiefs and Sheriffs Association this year.
Moore said Denton, Caroline County and all of Maryland were better because of Bacorn’s courage and public service. The tribute signaled that his death resonated beyond the local police department and across the state.
Half-staff orders are a standard sign of mourning in Maryland for public servants and other honored figures. In this case, the order reflected both Bacorn’s rank and the breadth of his years in law enforcement.
Bacorn’s long tenure made him a familiar figure in Denton
Bacorn’s career stretched across nearly four decades, and the town’s January award recognized 35 years of service. That history made him one of the most visible public safety leaders in Denton.
His death leaves the police department facing a sudden leadership loss while the crash investigation continues. No replacement or succession plan was included in the town’s announcement.
For now, town leaders and state officials have focused on mourning and on the families directly affected by the crash, including the family of the delivery truck driver who was injured. The police investigation will determine what happened on MD 331.
Investigation remains open as questions about the collision continue
State police said the case is still being investigated, and they have not said whether charges are expected. They also have not released information about road conditions, speed or other factors that may have played a role.
Because the crash involved a fatality and a serious injury, investigators are likely examining vehicle damage, witness accounts and other evidence gathered at the scene. Officials have not shared a timeline for when more information may be released.
For Denton, the immediate focus remains on honoring Bacorn’s life and supporting the people who worked with him. For state investigators, the task is to reconstruct how the crash on MD 331 unfolded and why it turned fatal.
