The St. Mary’s County Elks Lodge No. 2092 presented its second annual Hometown Hero Awards to four residents on Nov. 14, 2025, at the lodge’s facility on Fire Department Lane, acknowledging their roles in law enforcement, fire service, military veterans’ support and emergency medical response. The ceremony highlighted contributions that bolster public safety across the county’s 372 square miles, where volunteer efforts form the backbone of emergency services.
Deputy Brandon Reynolds of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office received recognition for his patrol duties and community engagement, building on earlier accolades as the 2022 Law Enforcement Rookie of the Year. Reynolds, who joined the office after prior service in corrections where he earned Deputy of the Year honors in 2018, focuses on school resource officer work at Spring Ridge Middle School, fostering trust between students and officers through daily interactions and crisis prevention. His selection underscores the sheriff’s emphasis on proactive policing in rural and suburban areas like Mechanicsville and Charlotte Hall, where response times average under seven minutes for priority calls.
President Wayne Johnson of the Bay District Volunteer Fire Department earned the award for 39 years of leadership, starting as a junior firefighter in 1973 and ascending to fire chief from 2004 to 2009 before assuming the presidency in 2009. Under his guidance, the department completed a new Station 3 in Great Mills, renovated Station 9 in Callaway and upgraded apparatus with advanced pumps and ladders, enhancing coverage for the 25,000 residents in the Bay District area. Johnson, a consistent top responder, holds Firefighter of the Year titles and bravery citations for incidents including structure fires along Route 4 and water rescues on the Potomac River. As a senior instructor at the Joseph Sacco Fire Fighting and Safety School in Hughesville, he trains hundreds annually in hazardous materials handling and shipboard firefighting for merchant mariners at the nearby Paul Hall Center. The family legacy persists: his father led as chief, wife Lauren remains a life member and son Ryan serves as a third-generation responder, reflecting intergenerational commitment common in St. Mary’s volunteer ranks.
Veteran Tom Rogers was honored for bridging military service with local arts and community initiatives, including co-creating a 2021 mural at Tulagi Place in Lexington Park that celebrates naval history tied to the county’s Patuxent River Naval Air Station heritage. Rogers’ work supports veterans through creative outlets, aligning with St. Mary’s Department of Aging and Human Services programs that connect 4,500 local veterans to benefits via annual resource fairs. His recognition highlights the transition from active duty to civilian contributions, vital in a county where 8 percent of adults are veterans, many drawing from Pax River’s 13,000-strong workforce.
Rescue Medic Michael Baker of St. Mary’s County Emergency Medical Services drew praise for frontline patient care, echoing his 2021 certificate for lifesaving interventions at nearby Indian Head facilities, where he stabilized victims in high-risk scenarios like vehicle extrications. As a paramedic with Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute certifications, Baker exemplifies the all-volunteer EMS model that handles 12,000 calls yearly, from cardiac arrests in Leonardtown to opioid overdoses in Hollywood. His expertise in advanced life support protocols, including intubation under duress, supports the county’s goal of 90 percent survival rates for out-of-hospital arrests.
