Holly MatkinFrostburg, MD – Garrett County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) Deputy Corey McElroy died in the line of duty on Dec. 21 after a three-vehicle crash.
The 31-year-old deputy was driving his unmarked patrol SUV in the westbound lanes of Interstate 68 near Maryland Route 36 shortly before 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 20 when he collided with the back of a tractor-trailer, according to the Maryland State Police (MSP).
Investigators said the force of the impact sent Deputy McElroy’s vehicle into another traffic lane, where it was hit by a Ford F-350 pickup truck, WDTV reported.
Deputy McElroy was airlifted to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, West Virginia, where he succumbed to his injuries in the early-morning hours of Dec. 21, Garrett County Sheriff Bryson Meyers said in a press release.
The Maryland State Police Crash Team is handling the ongoing investigation into the fatal collision.
The roadway was shut down until shortly before 11 p.m. as police investigated the scene, WBAL reported.
Sheriff Meyers said Deputy McElroy, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, was traveling home from the police academy to attend a family member’s graduation ceremony when the fatal crash occurred.
He leaves behind his two young children.
“We ask that you respect the privacy of Deputy McElroy’s family at this most difficult time,” Sheriff Meyers said.
LODD: Always remember: Deputy Sheriff Corey D. McElroy, Garrett County Sheriff's Office, Maryland https://t.co/wo6Fxv4kP4 pic.twitter.com/Odg7f02pNY
— Blue Lives Matter 💎 (@RetiredNYCPD) December 23, 2022
The Maryland Natural Resources Police mourns the death of Deputy Corey Douglas McElroy of the Garrett County Sheriff's Office. Please keep his family, friends, & the members of the Garrett County Sheriff's Office in our thoughts & prayers. pic.twitter.com/Lja6GCfsdC
— Maryland NRP (@MDNRPolice) December 21, 2022
The @mdsp sends our condolences to the Garrett County Sheriff's Office and to the family of Deputy Sheriff Corey McElroy following his passing last night. READ MORE: https://t.co/uCbwYvdatj
— MD State Police (@MDSP) December 21, 2022
Rest In Peace: Deputy Sheriff Corey D. McElroy. Garrett County Sheriff's Office, MD. E.O.W: Wednesday, December 21, 2022. @PoliceOne @ODMP #BlueLivesMatter #officerdown pic.twitter.com/JjXMqCSZT9
— R Cook (@retiredNCSHP) December 23, 2022
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Garrett County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Corey McElroy, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
