Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I was fortunate to meet Ed during my career. I worked drugs for many years and had the pleasure of "picking" Ed's brain on several occassions. I found him to be one of the most helpful, intelligent, and courageous investigators that I ever worked with. He always seemed to be upbeat and positive, no matter the situation. I will always remember him for his bravery. Not many would take on the undercover assignments that he did. To Ed's family...you will always be in my prayers. He was a great man.

Retired Cpl. James Doran
Annapolis Police Dept.

March 4, 2006

TFC Toatley,

On a couple of occasions, I have been in the presence of several of your co-workers/friends. I can tell you they all still to this day heavily grieve for your loss. Please ease their pain by watching over all of them and letting them know you are still with them.

From one Dundalk High School alumni to another... "go Owls!"

Jennifer Aaron
Wife of Ofc. Duke G. Aaron, III (EOW 07/20/04)
Civilian employee with Maryland Department of State Police/Office of the State Fire Marshal Bomb Squad

November 29, 2005

To the family and friends of Trooper Edward Toatley, and his fellow officers with the Maryland State Police:

On behalf of our entire family, I wish to extend our sincerest condolences on the grievous loss you suffered when Trooper Toatley was brutally murdered five years ago. His dedication and valor will never be forgotten.

Our family grieves with you and for you.
We share your agony as we lost our beloved Larry Lasater of the Pittsburg Police Dept. when he was fatally shot on April 23, 2005 during a foot pursuit of two bank robbers.

May you continue to be comforted by the caring and support of your law enforcement family, and other police survivors.


This refection is sent with the utmost respect for the service Trooper Toatley gave to his community as a law enforcement officer, and to his country in the war against drugs, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on October 30, 2000.

Phyllis Loya, mother of Larry Lasater, Pittsburg Police Dept, eow 4/24/05

October 30, 2005

TO DAY WE REMEMBER TROOPER TOATLEY ON THE 5TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS SACRIFICE.
GOD BLESS HIS FAMILY, FRIENDS AND CO-WORKERS.
HE WILL REMAIN IN YOUR HEARTS AND MIND, HE WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.
KNOW THAT THERE ARE MANY THAT WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HIS SACRIFICE.

LORRAINE BOND (MOTHER)
HAMILTON COUNTY, TN. DEP. SHERIFF:
DONALD K. BOND, JR.
EOW: 09.06.01

October 30, 2005

He is my cousin. I miss him so much. I meet him about three or four time since young.. I wont forget him when he teasing with me... I love him so much..

Marcia Toatley

October 27, 2005

The smile you see on Ed's picture is the type of person he was. I had the honor of previously working with Ed and sharing his humor and smile. Ed's family has a tremendous loss but can be blessed with the fact Ed was much loved and will be greatly missed. I recently attended the Maryland State Police graduation and remembered Ed after an award named after him was presented to a young and fearless police law enforcement officer... to carry on what Ed and we all stand for. God bless you Ed.

Frank

Corporal Frank Walters -Retired
Maryland State Police

February 15, 2005

Thank you Trooper Toatley. Gone but never forgotten.

December 25, 2004

Ed was a good friend of my boyfriend, a fellow trooper. To this day he still has Ed's memorial card from the funeral service on his dresser. It is not a reminder of Ed's passing,for the memory of Ed is forever etched in the hearts of those who knew him. He will never be forgotten. We go to Ed's final resting place on earth every year to tell him we miss him. His sacrifice was'nt for naught, it just fueled an even stronger desire to do the job that he and so many others loved so much. Ed, I know you're up there watching over us, to protect and guide us. God Bless you and your family.

August 24, 2004

Thank you my brother . . . for your dedication, service and ultimate sacrifice. You are a true hero. I honor you, your name and your memory. With brotherly love and utmost respect, Jim Crotty (Former Richmond, VA Police Officer).

Special Agent Jim Crotty
ATF (SA, Retired)

March 13, 2004

I had the honor of working with Ed and Inez when I was with the MSP. This poem is a tribute to him and his family. I wrote this the night of his death after I saw the news. I pray that he is in Heaven looking down on us all. I especially pray that his family finds peace in knowing that he was the best at what he did and that he died doing something that he loved. I am confident that he will never be forgotten. His actions changed the world a way that can't be measured. He was and always will be my hero. GOD BLESS!


UNDERCOVER
No crisp uniform of honor did he wear
Nor golden badge of glory did his chest bear
Only troubling thoughts of money, guns and drugs
Fighting back the tears as he collected his nightly hugs

In this secret life he chose, he clearly was the best
But his uneasy path was much different then the rest
He knelt in prayer with his family at night
Before he quietly went out to carry on his fight

They kept a scrapbook of his many feats
But his true worth is not captured on these sheets
He knew that he was a soldier in a losing war
And his return to those who love him was unsure

His futile fight to save a city block by block
Resulted one night in that tragic knock
His friends sadly called upon his loving wife
With a tearful message of how he lost his life

One last time his brothers gave him praise
But only half way up Old Glory did they raise
And in the end the bugler played his solemn tune
With prayers that his soul will enter soon

Cpl. Robert Heuisler
Maryland State Police (Ret.)

Cpl. Robert R. Heuisler
Maryland State Police

January 9, 2004

Rest in peace troop. While your watch is over, we continue on.

Senior Trooper
Virginia State Police

October 30, 2003

Thank you for fighting the War on Drugs. You will not be forgotten. Thank you.

Anonymous

I worked with Ed on one case back when I was in the Harford County Joint Narcotics Task Force. At that time I was working for the Aberdeen Police Department. Ed was the best in his field and when you worked with him, he was the type of guy the you would never forget. I am proud to say that Ed was my friend and I will never forget him. The state of Maryland, the Maryland State Police and I have lost a great friend. Ed I will miss you, but will not forget you. God Bless

Detective Addie Osborn
Harford County Sheriff's Office

A lot of you knew him as Ed but I've always know him as "MC". We grew up as kids in Turners Station having lots of fun from building clubs houses behind the old drug store to fast cars. I remember the day that "MC" went into the Md. State Police and it was shortly after when he brought home his first cruiser and I was so proud of him. From that moment on I knew he was going to be the best of the best and he proved it to his family, to the State of Md., and to this Nation.

"MC" you're like a brother to me and now that you're in a much better place where you don't have to worry about fighting crime or getting drugs off the streets. Job well done my brother. And have kept my promise to you if anything was to happen to you I will always keep very close contact with mom and dad so you don't have to worry.

"MC" I know someday we well reunite and sing around Heaven all day. You're truly missed and Turners Stations True Fallen Hero.

Clayton W. Brown
none

There can be no reasonable answer for why another hero has been taken away.  At least not for Trooper Toatleys' family.  But rest assured Mrs. Toatley, you and your childred have been born into a larger family and will forever be in our thoughts and prayers. The law enforcement brotherhood is like no other and you will have this support forever.  I did not know Trooper Toatley but i did speak with others who did.  There was nothing but praise and admiration for the type of person and police officer he was.  Trooper Toatley was fighting a war that may never be won.  However, he continued to win the smaller battles in this war on drugs.   It is because of dedicated individuals like this that there is always hope that we can win.  Be very proud Mrs. Toatley and never miss an opportunity to remind your children that their dad was a hero !!

Detective  A.J.
Baltimore County Police Department

I am sorry to hear about the senseless death of Trooper Toatley.  The family and department are in my prayers.

Tom Rhoades
Fort Wayne, IN

Ed, you were my friend and fellow union member. I only knew you from your work in obtaining collective bargaining. You were the most fair and open person it has ever been my pleasure to know. You always made my concerns feel important, even though we were of different agencies. Your sense of duty, willingness to help others, and your keen sense of humor will help me come to terms with your passing. You were too young to be taken away, but I have solace in knowing that your in a better place. Your tour of duty in this life is finished, your new tour is just beginning. If I can be half the man you are, then I to will have made a contribution to society as you have. Till we all meet again on the eternal beat…

Cpl. John Wilkins
MD. Trans. Auth. Police

It was a terrible shock for me this past roll call to have my friends name read aloud.  I have now lost two good friends to this job, Vincent and now "MC."  Ed was a fine Trooper and friend and I'm saddened by his death.  We grew up together in Dundalk, liked fast cars and fast motorcycles.  Ed was a Turners Station success story and it was my honor, privilege, and pleasure to have known him and in the past, worked along with him.  Truly, a part of me and my youthful years have gone.

Fear not though Trooper, your day has come, walk tall and proud for your job is done!  The Big Chief has called you, your end of watch is here, you're going to heaven now "MC" but I'd much rather you still be here!  Rest in peace…

Onas Wm. Jansen III "Butch"
Aberdeen Police Department

So many of you have talked about Ed but to the Turners Station community he was MC. It's been two years since he passing and it's still hard to thinking of him not being here. Our community is very family oriented so when one family is hurting we all are. MC was very devoted to his family and it wasn't nothing that he wouldn't do for them. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of MC because he was truely one of Turners Stations success stories. MC, my family misses you but we take comfort in knowing that one day we will be re-united over in that Glory land. With the passing of Ms. Maggy, I know this is a hard time for the family, but GOD is a good GOD and he'll bring you through it all.

Anonymous

You worked with our unit at our station, and our department, I remember.....God Bless You and your family...Someone will always remember.......

Anonymous

Edward McCrosby Toatley, affectionately known to the Turner's Station community as "MC" was born to Edgar and Lilia Toatley on April 2, 1963 at the Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois. At four months of age, he was christened in the Catholic faith in the chapel of Chanute Air Force Base.

The Toatley Family settled in Turners Station in 1964, when "MC" was just eighteen months old. Growing up in the community, he played little league football, which his father coached and actively participated in the weekly dances held at Fleming School, known as the Teen Center.

MC and his father always participated in good, wholesome fun. As young children "MC" and his friends built a "Members Only" clubhouse on the grounds of what is now Turners Station Park. The clubhouse was truly an engineering marvel. It had separate rooms, wall-to-wall carpet and was solidly constructed. The same group of friends who built the Clubhouse remained lifelong comrades of "MC".

"MC" attended Logan Elementary, Merritt Park Elementary, Dundalk Jr. High and graduated from Dundalk Sr. High School. Upon graduation from High School, "MC" was recruited as a Cadet for the Maryland State Police. He served as a Cadet for three years, then he went into the Maryland State Police Academy at age 21 and graduated on June 15,1984.

"MC" always believed in equality and the true meaning of justice, which is why he chose to become a Maryland State Trooper. He truly loved his job and proudly served the citizens of Maryland. In 1998, he was elected as President of the Coalition of Black Maryland State Troopers, a position that he was just re-elected. He also held the position of Vice President of the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 76 and Secretary for the Maryland Troopers Association. He was one of the first Board Members of SLEOLA and was instrumental in negotiating better pay and benefit enhancements for all State Troopers.

"MC" received training from the Maryland State Police, FBI, DEA, Florida Institute of Police Training and Management, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Edward McCrosby Toatley was killed in the line of duty on October 30, 2000. He was honored as a hero at his funeral service held at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen on November 3,2000. In attendance were Maryland State Governor Parris Glendening, Lt. Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno, FBI Director Louis Freeh, and Law Enforcement Officers from across the country and Canada. An estimated four thousand Police Officers stood at attention listening to the funeral service over the loud speakers in front of the Cathedral. The Turners Station community was well represented in bidding farewell to its native son.

Edward leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Inez; oldest son Antoine; son Daniel; daughter; Taylor; parents, Edgar and Lilia; sister Joyce; niece, Tiffany; brother in-law, Monroe; grandparents, Maggie and Simeona; aunts, Janie, Linda and Delia; and uncles, Johnny, James, Phillpe and Rodrigo.

Edgar & Lilia Toatley
Trooper Toatley's Parents