Presidents Message
Our goal at Lodge 69 is to provide the members the best benefits possible. If you are a current or former sworn member of the Maryland State Police, you may be eligible for membership at our Lodge. To our family and friends, we encourage you to consider the benefits of Associate membership. On behalf of State Trooper Lodge 69, welcome to our website.
History of the FOP
In 1915, the life of a policeman was bleak. In many communities they were forced to work 12 hour days, 365 days a year. Police officers didn't like it, but there was little they could do to change their working conditions. There were no organizations to make their voiced heard; no other means to make their grievances known.
This soon changed, thanks to the courage and wisdom of two Pittsburgh patrol officers. Martin Toole and Delbert Nagle knew they must first organize police officers, like other labor interests, if they were to be successful in making life better for themselves and their fellow police officers. They and 21 others "who were willing to make a change" met on May 14, 1915, and held the first meeting of the Fraternal Order of Police. They formed Fort Pitt Lodge #1. They decided on this name due to the anti-union sentiment of the time. However, there was no mistaking their intentions. As they told their city mayor, Joe Armstrong, the FOP would be the means "to bring our grievances before the Mayor or Council and have many things adjusted that we are unable to present in any other way we could get many things through our legislature that out Council will not, or cannot give us".
And so it began, a tradition of police officers representing police officers. The Fraternal Order of Police was given life by two dedicated police officers determined to better their profession and those who chose to protect and serve our communities, our states, and our country. It was not long afterward that Mayor Armstrong was congratulating the Fraternal Order of Police for their "strong influence in the legislature of various states, their considerate and charitable efforts" on behalf of the officers in need and for the FOP's "efforts at increasing the public confidence toward the police to the benefit if the peace, as well as the public".
From that small beginning the Fraternal Order of Police began growing steadily. In 1917 the idea of a National Order of Police came about. Today, the tradition that was first envisioned over 90 years ago lives on with more than 2,100 lodges and more than 325,000 members in the United States. The Fraternal Order of Police has become the largest professional police organization in the country. The FOP continues to grow because we have been true to the tradition and continue to build on it. The Fraternal Order of Police are proud professionals working on behalf of law enforcement officers from all ranks and levels of government.
Fraternal Order of PoliceAbout the Fraternal Order of Police Star Logo
The emblem adopted by the National Fraternal Order of Police is designed to remind the membership of the duties that are expected of them as a citizen, a police officer and a member of the lodge. The five-cornered star tends to remind us of the allegiance we owe to our Flag and is a symbol of the authority with which we are entrusted. It is an honor the people we serve bestow upon us. They place their confidence and trust in us; serve them proudly.
Midway between the points and the center of the star is a blue field representative of the thin blue line protecting those we serve. The points are of gold, which indicates the position under which we are now serving. The background is white, the unstained color representing the purity with which we should serve. We shall not let anything corrupt by injected into our order. Therefore, our colors are blue, gold, and white.The open eye is the eye of vigilance ever looking for danger and protecting all those under its care while they sleep or while awake. The clasped hands denote friendship. The hand of friendship is always extended to those in need of our comfort.
The circle surrounding the star midway indicates our never ending efforts to promote the welfare and advancement of this order. Within the half circle over the centerpiece is our motto, "Jus, Fidus, Libertatum", which translated means "Law is a Safeguard of Freedom."
About FOP Lodge 69
Based in Baltimore County, we currently have hundreds of members, both active duty and retired law enforcement, who currently or in the past worked for the Maryland State Police.How it all started...
On March 12, 1970, a notice was sent to all uniformed personnel of Barrack"A" concerning a meeting to discuss the formation of an FOP Lodge consisting of personnel from the Barrack "A" area. The first meeting was held on March 24, 1970 at 8 pm at the State Roads Commission auditorium in Greenbelt. There were approximately 50 to 60 troopers from Rockville, Greenbelt, and Waterloo Barracks attending. Present at the meeting were State President E. L. (Buck) Sellers, and other State Lodge representatives. Also present was Sgt. Steven Condes from the PA State Police Lodge to inform those in attendance what the FOP was all about.
Questions were asked about how the FOP worked and after discussion, it was voted to form the first MSP FOP Lodge. Bob Browning made a motion to name it Waterloo Lodge 69. The first president was John Himmelmann, secretary was Peter Edge, and State Trustee was Ron Raffo. The second meeting was held at the Jessup Community Hall in Jessup on April 14, 1970 and again, attendance was between 50 and 60 members. Ben Wolman was at the second meeting and it was voted that he would be the Lodge attorney which he accepted.
Who we are...
We are husbands, wives, fathers, and mothers among other things who share a strong common of being police officers, the proudest profession to call our own. F.O.P. lodge 69 has a long standing tradition of being a supporting organization for its members and the communities we serve here in Maryland. We are constantly trying to improve the quality of life for our members as well as the citizens of the State of Maryland. We serve with pride and integrity and are proud of the profession and calling we have undertaken. Please join us in our quest to make Maryland the safest for you and your family.