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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Lewis Dryden was shot and killed as he and a Princess Anne police officer attempted to serve an arrest warrant on a man who had shot his stepfather.
The officers encountered the suspect walking down the street, carrying the shotgun he had used in the previous shooting. As they attempted to take him into custody the man was able to obtain control of Deputy Dryden's pistol and fatally shot him. He then shot and wounded the Princess Anne police officer before fleeing.
The suspect, age 21, was arrested several days later. He was convicted of Deputy Dryden's murder and sentenced to life in prison. After seven years in prison an order was received to transfer him to the Crownsville Hospital for the insane after he started showing signs of insanity. On January 3, 1932, as guards were removing him the prison he stabbed and critically injured a guard.
Deputy Dryden was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Deputy Dryden was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Dryden served with the Somerset County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Westover community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Dryden.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Lewis is the only officer of Somerset County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Lewis is one of 195 officers killed feloniously in MD, 51.6% of the 378 remembered there.
Lewis is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Lewis is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1924, 4 officers in MD were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 104 years on record. The heaviest was 2000, with 6.
In 1924, 225 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1924, 228 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Lewis was 72. Of the 178 killed feloniously in MD whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 43.8; the middle age was 35.
Lewis was 72. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Lewis was 72. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 9.2% of these deaths in MD; June holds the most, 11.8%. Saturdays: 16.4%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Somerset County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.6% of all 378 deaths in MD, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 9.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 2-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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