(April 20, 2017) The Worcester County Commissioners and staff bid a fond farewell to their dear friend and former Emergency Services Director and Fire Marshal, Edward “Sykes” Cropper, who passed away Friday, April 14.
Cropper began his 33-year career with Worcester County government in 1963 as a part-time fire marshal before being hired full time on June 1, 1966. He retired Sept. 24, 1996.
In 1985 when the state required each Maryland county to establish a 911 communications center, Cropper was appointed to serve as the first Emergency Services director and also continued to serve as fire marshal until his retirement in 1996.
“Fire Marshal Cropper was an icon within Worcester County Fire and Emergency Services,” Fire Marshal Jeff McMahon said. “His 30-plus years of service will not be forgotten. Sykes was very instrumental in many modern firsts for Worcester County.
“His leadership established the county’s 911 communications’ center, the implementation of the county’s 911 addressing system, paved the road for how the county Fire Marshal’s Office operates, and saw the success of the start of the county’s fire training center,” he continued. “Even in retirement, Sykes remained a close friend, not only to me, but the entire county Fire and Emergency Service community.”
Thoughts and prayers are with the Cropper and Harrington families.