Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer John Stem died from medical complications resulting from a gunshot wound that occurred on July 6th, 1977, at a domestic dispute call in the 2400 block of Brunswick Road.
Officer Stem and Patrolman Charles Huckeba arrived on scene and approached the suspect's house. The suspect appeared and opened fire on them. Patrolman Huckeba was shot in the face. Officer Stem moved behind some houses across from where the suspect was shooting in an effort to assist Officer Huckeba. While maneuvering, he was shot in the back and paralyzed from the waist down. The suspect, who was high on PCP at the time, was shot and killed by the department's tactical unit later in the day. Officer Huckeba was also killed.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-MD-D2383F0D- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
20 years. You could have gone home.
Police Officer Stem gave the Baltimore County Police Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Towson community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Stem.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer John W. Stem, Sr. is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In MD, 195 of 377 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 51.7% of this state's fallen. That is 2.5 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Baltimore County Police Department, 9 of 12 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John W. Stem, Sr.'s cause is highlighted.
How John W. Stem, Sr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John W. Stem, Sr. is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Baltimore County Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
