A veteran Harford County Sheriff’s Office sergeant died overnight, apparently of medical causes but in the line of duty, police said.
Sgt. Ian Loughran, 43, of Pylesville died at his home sometime after midnight Thursday, the agency said in a release.
According to an examination performed by the state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Loughran “unknowingly began to suffer the symptoms of a heart attack” during the funeral services Wednesday afternoon for Cpl. Charles Licato, a Sheriff’s Office deputy who died in a single-car crash in Darlington Sept. 6.
Under state law, an officer is eligible for “line of duty” honors and benefits if they die of a heart attack or stroke less than 24 hours after “the individual, while on duty…engaged in a situation that involved nonroutine stressful or strenuous physical law enforcement.”
Loughran was a 16-year veteran of the force who worked in the Northern Precinct in the Patrol Division, and was also an instructor for the Sheriff’s Office Emergency Vehicle Operator Course, or EVOC, training held at the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Facility in Sykesville.
He is survived by a wife and one child, the agency said. Funeral arrangements have not been determined.
“Yesterday I spoke of a new star in the heavens when speaking of Charles Licato, today it seems a second star now joins him,” Sheriff Jesse Bane said in a statement.
In May, Loughran spoke about emergency driving tactics to members of the Sheriff’s Office Citizens Police Academy, displaying photos of the training courses and sharing good-humored anecdotes of his time teaching new officers extreme driving techniques.
“It is horrible teaching driving,” Loughran joked. “I don’t know if any of you have taught your kids to drive; imagine doing that at 100 miles an hour.”
It is not the years that we put in as police officers, correctional officers, firefighters, EMT, or in emergency operations…..it is the hard mileage we put on our bodies doing it.
Be safe out there guys.
well said, Marc miss you guy
Very sad…my prayers go out to the deputy’s family.
Well stated Marc….only one thing, you forgot the one little thing called stress. You sure know about that. It does take it’s toll on all of us.
I echo Marc’s comment, please be careful and safe out there,take care of yourselves and your families, you never know the last time you may say goodbye and I love you.
Peace
I am at a loss for words. This has been such a hard week but this just hit home. You were one of the kindest men I ever had the privilege of knowing. You were an awesome friend, father, husband and much more. I can’t believe we won’t see your smiling face anymore or hear your kind voice on the other end of the phone/radio. May you rest in peace, sir. We will never forget you.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Sgt. Loughran. The latest press release from the Sheriff indicates that he “died in the line of duty” while at home after suffering a heart attack. I have no idea how this can be in the line of duty, but his service to the county is much appreciated.
Under state law, an officer is eligible for “line of duty” honors and benefits if they die of a heart attack or stroke less than 24 hours after the end of a duty shift in which they performed “non-routine stressful or strenuous physical” activity.
Read the article explaining in the line of duty. You should be ashamed of yourself.
Why does it matter to you? The Dagger took the time to include the definition within the news release.. please just pray for the family and friends
Johnny H: Can you please tell me you are able to read and comprehend? Maybe you should re-read the article. Sgt. Loughran, may you rest peacefully.
DAH – The article was updated while I was posting. That being said, I was unaware that all of the police officers who attended the funeral on Wednesday were considered on a “duty shift” and getting paid to attend the funeral.
Johnny H. please just stop posting. We don’t need nonsense like this right now.
Also, I’ve witnessed officers over the years assist citizens including myself while “not on duty”. Im not an officer however from the family and friends that are…. I dont believe they every feel like they are ‘CLOCKED-OUT’ or Off Duty!!! Being a police officer is 24hrs a day.
While I pray for the family/friends and co-workers and the rest of the County, Im gonna pray for you as well.
He worked a patrol shit after the funeral service. Just stop posting Johnny H.
I’m not trying to be disrespectful to a fallen officer, nor am I trying to add pain to a grieving family. My thoughts and prayers are with them.
That said, while Johnny H’s words are poorly chosen, there is a good point to be made.
The only abnormal incident mentioned in the article is the funeral. Legally, does that count as “nonroutine stressful or strenuous physical law enforcement?” Personally, I’m not sure. I can kind of see both sides.
Losing a loved one or a co-worker is definitely a stressful event, but it seems to be a stretch to consider it under the line of duty law.
Time will tell. I suspect we will hear more about it in the future, and I would be surprised if the family doesn’t wind up hiring a lawyer to help their case.
In the meantime, let’s leave the arguments for later and be respectful of the pain of the family. That’s what matters now.
Try standing at attention or parade rest for 4+ hours and tell me if it’s not stressful or strenuous.
C’mon HARCORESIDENT, 4 hours of standing gives a 43 year old a lethal heart attack much later in the evening? I’m not a doctor, but I’m not buying it. “Common Cents” post makes common sense to me. And by the way, this type of incident shouldn’t qualify anyone “hero” status OR the associated “honor and benefits” of the “line of duty” death.
That being said, R.I.P Sgt. Loughran.
It’s clear that you are simply a hater with nothing good to say, and certainly not of the dead, or those in uniform who serve and protect. Use your real name some time so we can do a quick MD Case Search on you. I’m sure you are simply outside the law and despise anyone that wants to hold you accountable for your lack of regard for others.
Standing in the heat for hours, with no water, in full dress uniform to include wool jackets is draining on both the body and mind. Enough said.
Who made the deputies stand for hours in the heat, in full dress uniform, to include wool coat, with no water? It would take a heartless individual to make someone do that with no water. What were they thinking!
C’mon “Mommy Dearest”, standing in the “heat”…what heat? It has been one beautiful week (weather wise), and the rest of the excuses you posted are embellishments to say the least.
No one MADE them stand in there in full dress uniform. They did it out of respect for their fellow officer.
Exactly!
One deputy dies in the line of duty in more than 100 years as a result of enemy action (trying to arrest a disorderly man); in a three-year period we’ve now lost three deputies in the line of duty, and only one was responding to a call, that an attempted suicide. This is not an easy job by any stretch of the imagination. We’re fortunate we’ve lost so few deputies; we’re shocked we’ve lost so many so quickly recently, especially two within one week. After all, this is Harford County, not Fort Apache, the Bronx. Deputies, you have the prayers of a grateful community behind you.
Oh, and Johnny H, read how state law defines “in the line of duty”; it’s in the fourth paragraph. I’m no lawyer; but I would consider an officer’s funeral “non-routine stressful…physical” activity. Apparently, it fits the legal definition, given that Sgt. Loughran’s passing is being considered in the line of duty.
There is a fourth one out there.
Let me clarify…..hopefully some news will come out. Nothing tragic.
This is unbelievably sad for Harford County, for their friends, and their families. I do believe that these officers have a 24/7 job. I’m sure that if someone needed their aid while they were “off duty” they would respond just as rapidly as they would while “on duty”. God bless them.
As I noted above, Sgt. Loughran spoke at the CPA class in which I was a member this spring. Funny guy, very personable; he gave a good talk.
We chatted for awhile after, and he seemed to understand and appreciate what we were trying to do here at The Dagger. He even invited me to come check out EVOC training with him later this year–I’m sorry I won’t get the chance to take him up on the offer.
I’ll echo Aaron’s comments. It was a privilege to have the opportunity to listen to his presentation and talk with him at CPA. You could tell immediately that he was regarded highly by his co-workers and was a genuinely good guy.
Thanks to all of the officers on patrol this week during these difficult times.
Sending prayers to the family and friends of all of the officers who passed away recently. This latest death brought back so many memories. My husband suffered cardiac arrest after his Mother’s funeral. Fortunately he felt “funny” before it happened and we made it to the hospital. Working in a stressful job can cause physical problems. If you even have any symptoms of heart attack please go to the hospital. While you are taking care of us .you must also take care of yourselves.
Thank you to all the officers you work so tirelessly to make our communities safe. You are appreciated. Take care of yourselves. We need you.
Ian was a great human being. He was a devoted husband and a wonderful father. My heart goes out to his family. He was unconditionally giving and strived to be the best man he could. He will be missed by all those who knew him.
This sucks – way too young..
I met Ian a LONG time ago, back when I was in High School @ CMW, and have crossed paths in life with him several times since then. I am so sorry to hear about his passing. He always had a smile and so many stories to tell! It seemed he knew everyone! My condolences to his family.
Sgt Loughrans death should be supported by the community that he serves. For the most part this happens, but some off the wall anti police folks still exist. Freedom of speech is one thing, morals is another and how did you get this anti police is third, we are not bad people just doing a job that is stressfull, unappreciated, and emotional at times is 2nd. WE ARE HUMAN IS THIRD. If you dont know about this situation then stay to yourself. RIP Sgt Loughran!
Please also remember in your prayers HCSO Civilian Ron Petty. He was retired from MSP after 30 years of service and worked at the Sheriff’s Office for the past several years and only recently retired due to his illness. He passed away last week. We should remember him in our prayers along with Cpl. Charles Licato, OFC Charles Armetta and Sgt. Ian Loughran.
Patty and family, if you’re reading this, please know that the girls and I are praying for you all. We’re just in shock over this. We will be there with you and hope to provide even the smallest amount of relief to you in this awful, awful time. Sending my love, Donna
It is tragic whenever someone dies. To the family, it is unbearable. Police officers, like people who serve in the military, knowingly make it their life’s work to serve other people. It is for that reason that the death of a police officer, firefighter, soldier, etc. is all the more tragic and saddens the community at large. To deal with death, the first step is mourning. Please allow a community its time to mourn before asking questions or making unwelcome statements. If the recent events do not sadden you, that is “OK”. Please know though that it makes others feel terrible and please remain silent so the people that need time to mourn can do so. Your time to speak will come soon enough. Now is not that time.
The dagger is a rag. The people on here suck.
Whatsmydestiny,
You are correct in many ways. You are also on the dagger!
This is the third Deputy Sheriff that has had a heart attack in the past two years. Are they not required to have a physical at least once a year? If not, they should be for their own good. I have a physical every year. I am 80 yrs old. I would love to see our good men in uniform live to be older. so please gentlemen do this for yourself and your family. Thank you for your service to all of us and GOD BLESS.
Perhaps it is not their physical condition but the significantly higher level of stress than the rest of us have that causes the higher rate of heart attacks, if indeed the rate is higher than the general population with the same demographic. I understand what you are saying, just offering a differing viewpoint.
Bear, true… only come on here when bored or need a good laugh. However, with this and related hcso threads… have to comment. I am also very disheartened and unmotivated. Death does come for us all. These men were my friends. September 2012 sux.
Indeed, September 2012 sucks. I feel very sad for all of the families, their co-workers and friends. The cheap comments from all posters are not necessary. Both from those who do not understand, and those who do.
This is getting unreal:
Sources: Harford County Sheriff’s Deputy Hospitalized With Heart-Related Issues; Aberdeen Police Returning from Funeral Respond to Fatal Crash
http://www.daggerpress.com/2012/09/15/sources-harford-county-sheriff%e2%80%99s-deputy-hospitalized-with-heart-related-issues-aberdeen-police-returning-from-funeral-respond-to-fatal-crash/
I worked with Ian when he was a school resource officer. He was a great role model to students. His style was to work with people rather than punish, though he was firm when necessary in order to protect students, parents, and staff. Ian’s work as an officer demonstrated the Sheriff’s Office motto: With courage, honor, and integrity, we protect the rights of all citizens.
The LT is at the gate welcoming his brothers in blue home. Even after retiring, he was proud of the guys he worked with and trained. Now it’s time for them all to rest and reflect on jobs well done! Heaven is a more secure place with these officers on duty. Once and officer, always an officer!
I have known Ian since he was working as a liquorboard inspector previous to him being employed by the Sheriffs office. Ian cared about the community and not in a phony tell the review board what they want to hear way, Ian truely did care and he enjoyed the job because he really liked people. I will miss him as he was truly one of the good guys that wore the shield.