ANNAPOLIS, MD—On Thursday, during the middle of the third inning of the Baltimore Orioles’ opening day game, three Maryland Transportation Authority Police Officers were honored for their bravery during the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

Below is a statement from Sergeant Paul Pastorek, Corporal Jeremy Herbert, Officer Garry Kirts – three Maryland Transportation Authority Police Officers that bravely stepped into action to prevent further loss of life during the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge:

“You train for years to respond to tragedy as an officer, but no amount of training could have prepared anyone for the events that took place on the Francis Scott Key Bridge. We were proud to carry out our duties as officers of this state to save the lives that we could, and we are grateful for the incredible amount of support from this community that we love so much. While your messages and outreaches are so appreciated, we respectfully ask for privacy at this time as we mourn the lives of those lost and spend time with those we hold dear.”

Sergeant Paul Pastorek, K9 Unit, 13-year veteran
Corporal Jeremy Herbert, Central Command Detachment, 19-year veteran
Officer Garry Kirts, Central Command Detachment, 6-year veteran

Statement from Governor Wes Moore:

“Sergeant Pastorek, Corporal Herbert, and Officer Kirts are Maryland heroes, in every beautiful sense. Their courage, bravery, and quick thinking saved lives. They’ve dedicated their careers to protecting the public – and we are deeply grateful that they’ve raised their hands to serve. When duty called, they answered. When crisis struck, they stepped into the breach for total strangers. In this time of challenge, they’re a bright light for our nation and our state. They deserve not just our praise – but our deep respect for braving these unprecedented events and saving lives. They define what it means to be Maryland Tough and Baltimore Strong.”​

Photo via Governor Wes Moore on X