Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Trooper Gregg Alexander Presbury

Maryland State Police, Maryland

End of Watch Saturday, December 17, 1977

Leave a Reflection

Reflections for Trooper Gregg Alexander Presbury

Miss you my friend. You'd be proud of the children. Life has brought a lot of challenges, but we face each one with courage. Rest in peace. Our Creator is watching over us and taking care of us for you. Love you. Anne Marie

Anne Presbury
Wife

December 14, 2023

Another year has passed. Your son and grandkids are growing strong. We all still miss you and love you. Your memory is pierced in our hearts.

Anne Presbury

December 14, 2022

Greg Presbury was a police academy classmate of mine and subsequently a friend. My world stood still when I got the awful news that you had been killed. One of my special memories of you is when I had accumulated more than ten demerits during the week of training and had to spend the weekend at the police academy and do chores. You came to the academy on that Sunday, just to keep me company and share stories. I remember when you talked about your son, Greg Presbury Jr. and how you would ride him in your State trooper car when he got older.
You shared some funny stories while you when you were employed as an appliance salesman for Sears, before joining the Maryland State Police. You had me in stitches as we laughed about our exploits in the police academy. Thank you for your friendship and thank you for being my Hero. I still keep in touch with Greg Jr. You would be proud of him . Thank you for sharing a part of your life with me. You will always remain my Hero.

Major Vernon Herron (Retired)
Maryland State Police

April 13, 2022

To the love of my life, you will never be forgotten. Thanks for caring about your family and your state community. You are forever missed.

Anne Presbury
Wife

December 12, 2021

Trooper Presbury your name is well known amongst the Maryland State Police family. Your heroism and dedication to duty will never be forgotten. Forever will you live in the hearts and minds of the Troopers and Civilian employees of the MSP. Thank you for your service and, may God Bless You. And Keep You Forever.

CORPORAL EARL T CROSS, RETIRED
DEPARTMENT OF MARYLAND STATE POLICE

August 13, 2021

On this 43rd anniversary of your untimely and heroic death I'd like to reiterate my previous reflection and say that your service and sacrifice will never be forgotten by your law enforcement family and brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

December 17, 2020

Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice is one that will never, ever be forgotten. Rest in peace always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

July 20, 2020

Rest in peace Trooper Presbury.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 16, 2020

Rest in peace, Trooper Presbury. May others find inspiration not just in the way you died, but rather in the the way you lived. I have and will continue to fight for things that are right & just.

Lt. Mark Anthony
Old Dominion University Police-Active
Portsmouth Police (Virginia) - Retired

Lt. Mark Anthony
Old Dominion University Police

December 17, 2019

Greg
I will never forget you Brother. I started at the AA Co Sheriff's Office the same time your graduated from the State Police Academy. We became friends. I think of you often and wonder what would have been in your Law Enforcement career but, you weren't given the chance to continue your career.

RIP My Brother until we meet again.

Captain Steve LaPlanche
Anne Arundel County Sheriff's Office

August 28, 2019

I was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps in 1976, I was 23 years old at the time. I secured a job as a Deputy Sheriff at the Anne Arundel Co. Sheriffs Dept. I am an African American male 6'2 tall. I transported the shooter of Troop Presbury. I believe I had some resemblance to Greg at that time. I recall the way his shooter looked at me. At first, it was disbelief as if seeing a ghost. After his shock subsided there was a look of hatred. I read it very well. I knew that if he had the chance my fate would be the same as Trooper Presbury. I knew at that moment this man was guilty. I have long since left the Dept but I write this because after all these years the look on his face is still fresh in my mind. I extend my condolence to Trooper Presburys wife and family. Thank you, Greg

Deputy Sheriff Cleveland McDowney
Anne Arundel Co Sheriff Dept

June 20, 2019

Was working the night this happened. A tragic loss both for his family and the agency he worked for. May he always be remembered and his family find peace.

(Retired) PCO II L. Sharp
Anne Arundel County PD

June 20, 2019

It is my hope that the family of Trooper Presbury has found peace and healing in his tragic passing.

Crystal Downs

December 17, 2018

May Trooper Presbury and his family forever be blessed by God and be protected by him. Thank you,, Trooper Presbury for your service.



Lt Mark Anthony
Retired Portsmouth (VA) Police
Active: Lt, Old Dominion University Police

Lieutenant Mark Anthony
Old Dominion University Police

December 17, 2018

Happy Birthday Gregg.
After Gregg called for backup, the speeder claimed he had to go to the bathroom. Gregg's human compassion caused him to allow the perpetrator out of his car prior to arrival of his backup and the lost of his life. It is sad to accept that a major portion of the persons that State Polices stop or visit are law breakers and have no goodwill in their hearts for our legal system. There in lies the dilemma of our policeman, balancing human compassion and due diligence- tilted it can cost them their lives.

Ms. Anne Presbury
Wife

May 26, 2018

In the 1970s, I taught technical report writing at the Maryland State Police Academy. While I was there, the MSP made the transition from an all-male, all-white organization to an integrated force with a few women (the 5'8" minimum height requirement barred more than a few women from applying). The MSP had also recruited helicopter pilots who had served in Viet Nam, greatly enhancing the State's medevac service (and rowdying up my classroom just a bit).

Throughout a long career in higher education, I've taught literally hundreds of adult learners (through UMUC); I've never enjoyed, or respected, any students more than those Fuzzlings. (That's what I called the MSP recruits, because they hadn't yet graduated to become Fuzz.)

One of my favorite Fuzzlings was Gregg Presbury, whose ardent curiosity about almost everything became not quite a joke among his peers. This computer works too slowly to be able to connect to the list of Maryland Troopers killed in the line of duty, but I know that Gregg's name is there. Not long after graduating from the Academy, he was murdered on the same day that my Dad (and also Bing Crosby) died. It was his curiosity that lured him, without backup, into suspicious circumstances.

At the time, there was an unofficial slogan: One incident, one Trooper. I don't know whether it still holds. But perhaps, if Gregg Presbury had had backup, he'd be enjoying retirement today.

Barbara Mayo-Wells, Ph.D.
University of Maryland University College (retired)

May 15, 2018

R.I.P. Trooper Presbury. Thank you for your service. I had a Cousin that was killed in the line of duty. Seems like it was yesterday. God bless and protect Trooper Presbury's family.

Karen Harris

May 5, 2017

Trooper Presbury and his family,

So sorry for your loss. Unfortunately the offender was a relative of mine. The incident was a major factor that motivated and propelled me into a law enforcement career myself. No matter how long I remain in law enforcement, I can never make up for the life that was lost. But I continue to try anyway.

God Bless

Lieutenant M. Anthony
Portsmouth Police

March 17, 2015

Thank you for your service. You were a good husband and father. You are truly missed.

LATONIA WEATHERS
SISTER-N LAW

August 29, 2013

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 34th anniversary year of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

December 17, 2011

It was a sad day when I heard the news. I was 17 at the time. Reflection of this incident later propelled me into a career in law enforcement where I have dedicated my life to put people like my uncle in prison. To the family of Trooper Presbury, I know your pain. I have come to know "brothers" in law enforcement pass in the line of duty. With every cop funeral I attend, I think of Trooper Presbury.

Sergeant M. Anthony
Defendant's Nephew

June 15, 2011

Wow Danda, Its really been that long. Thank You for being a person that anyone would be proud to have known and looked up to. Guess you and John are hanging out again and I know you take care of him as you always did.

Sandra Clay
Friend

June 3, 2011

Uncle Danny..I was only five when you died but I still remember you taking us for ice cream. I think about you often...you will never be forgotten.

Love
Dana Marie

Dana Brown
NIECE

May 28, 2011

Trooper Presbury , i was only 13 yrs old when your life was taken . little did i know that i would be sharing the thin blue line with you ........thank you for your service and thank you for your sacrifice . your spirit lives on........Mrs. Presbury may you find peace in knowing that you and your family are our family too and Gregg is missed........continued rest , my brother , continued rest.........

officer val pickens
b'ham p.d./b'ham , al

July 28, 2008

You cared about 'people'. You are truely missed.

Wife: Anne Presbury

March 6, 2008

Want even more control of your Reflection? Create a free ODMP account now for these benefits:

  • Quick access to your heroes
  • Reflections published quicker
  • Save a Reflection signature
  • View, edit or delete any Reflection you've left in the past

Create an account for more options, or use this form to leave a Reflection now.