ANNAPOLIS, MD (May 31, 2007) - Governor Martin O'Malley on Thursday announced the appointment of Terrence B. Sheridan as Secretary of the Maryland State Police. A 42-year veteran of Maryland law enforcement, Sheridan will lead a department with nearly 2,500 employees and a budget for FY 2008 of over $300 million.
"I am proud to appoint Chief Sheridan to lead the Maryland State Police," said Governor O'Malley. "Lieutenant Governor Brown and I envision the Maryland State Police as an agency that works closely with local law enforcement to improve public safety and homeland security at the same time. After months of consideration, it became clear that Terrence - with his record of success on the state and local level - is uniquely qualified to lead the Maryland State Police and protect our citizens."
"I look forward to working with Chief Sheridan to protect our families and strengthen public safety throughout Maryland," said Lt. Governor Brown. "With more than four decades of experience in Maryland's police forces, Terry is well qualified to lead this critical agency."
"Baltimore County has been blessed to have Terry Sheridan as its police chief for the past 11 years," said Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith. "Under his leadership, the County has been a leader in public safety across the region and the nation. Governor O'Malley is adding yet another outstanding individual to his leadership team. People all across Maryland will now benefit from Chief Sheridan's experience and expertise."
Prior to become Secretary of the Maryland State Police, Sheridan is retiring as Chief of the Baltimore County Police Department, a position which he has held for more than a decade. Before leading Baltimore County's police force, Sheridan worked in the Baltimore County Public School System as an Executive Assistant for Student Safety. Sheridan also served for 30 years in the Maryland State Police, reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and Chief of the Bureau of Drug Enforcement. In his career, Sheridan has worked in the specialty areas of internal affairs, special operations, drug enforcement, criminal intelligence, and student safety.
Chief Sheridan will assume the rank of Colonel in the Maryland State Police.
"I look forward to serving our citizens as Secretary of the Maryland State Police," said Secretary-Appointee Sheridan. "Working with local police forces, we will bring safety and security to every Maryland neighborhood."
Sheridan received his B.A. from Loyola College of Maryland, and received undergraduate and graduate credit through the Police Management Program offered by the University of Virginia and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Sheridan also received training at the National Executive Institute at the FBI headquarters in Quantico, Virginia. Sheridan lives in Lutherville, and is a long-time resident of Baltimore and Harford Counties.
O'Malley was joined by County Executive Smith as he announced Colonel James W. Johnson as his nominee to become Baltimore County Police Chief. A career officer in the Baltimore County Police Department, Johnson will assume control of the department within the next two weeks as Sheridan assumes his statewide duties.
Source: Governor Martin O'Malley's Office