ELKTON, May 7, 2021 – On this Friday in early May, family, friends, police officers, firefighters, and public officials gathered at Hicks Home for Funerals to say a final goodbye to Deputy Chief Larry Coleman Storke. Born on December 14, 1941, the 79-year-old public servant passed away on Thursday, April 29, 2021.
Coming of age in the shadows of the Greatest Generation, the veterans from World War II, Larry had a strong sense of heritage, duty, sacrifice in the service of others, so he joined the Singerly Fire Company as soon as he was old enough. Starting on the force as a probationary member on May 5, 1958, the teenager steadily rose through the fire service ranks. Ten months later, the rookie firefighter was promoted to Assistant Pipeman, working under Chief Pipeman Jack Jamison. Moreover, as he marked his first anniversary on the force, he advanced to the rank of full membership in Singerly.
Throughout his adult life, some sixty-three years, Larry continued with the service, committing much of his life’s work to protect the people of Elkton and Cecil County.
In the late 1960s, he started volunteering in law enforcement, becoming an Elkton Police Department Auxiliary Officer. Within a few years, he commanded the volunteer officer’s corps, serving as Lieutenant. In time Chief McIntire placed Larry on the payroll as a part-time patrolman, filling in when one of the regular officers was off duty, or a situation called for extra staffing.
After he stepped away from police work, he started volunteering in what was then called Civil Defense. As that Cold War Agency focused on protecting Cecil County from a nuclear attack evolved into today’s Dept. of Emergency Services, Larry grew professionally along with the division. This was at a time when first responders started answering alarms for a growing number of dangerous chemical incidents, and Larry was well-prepared to bring his talents and experience to that challenge. Before joining Emergency Services, he worked as the Senior Safety Coordinator at Thiokol, so he leveraged that hands-on knowledge in rocket propulsion to move the county forward by modernizing the agency’s approach to hazmat calls. This new complex field required specialized training, equipment, and response units. As a member of the full-time career staff, Deputy Director of Emergency Services Storke established and supervised the county’s first hazmat team.
In the volunteer fire service, he held many fire line command and administrative leadership positions. He was the President of the Cecil County Firemen’s Association for many years, and he chaired the committee to create the Volunteer Length of Service Award Program (VLSOAP). This vital program supports volunteers today.
Larry commanded operations as a Deputy Chief on the fire ground while also serving on the Board of Directors. Moreover, as the decades slipped quickly by, the now veteran firefighter never stopped training. In 1959, he was in the first Maryland Fire Service Extension Basic Fire Training Course in Cecil County, a significant advancement as what would become the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute at the University of Maryland brought systematic, organized training to the state.
Chief Storke taught many of us in the next generation that was coming on in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s the ropes in fire suppression as we started riding the backstep of an engine and grabbing hoses to rush inside burning buildings for the first time. As a junior officer, assistant chief, and deputy chief, he was often at the side of the young firefighters, passing along the practical skills of a veteran firefighter to a new group of recruits. Larry’s strong, supportive leadership style strengthened the emerging generation that was coming on, many of whom would become fire service leaders.
Chief Storke, an innovator, helped modernize the Cecil County Fire Service. In addition to being tapped by Cecil County Government to spearhead hazmat, the forward-thinking leader always encouraged implementing modern practices and the advanced training that developed after World War II. As an example, he led the way to modernize rescue services, and under his committee leadership, Singerly purchased the county’s first specialized, heavy-duty rescue unit.
In addition to rushing to take charge of all types of emergencies for most of his adult life, Larry also served the fire company in administrative and financial posts. Judy was active in the auxiliary, and Larry was usually found working in the kitchen with the ladies as they served meals or worked some other fundraisers.
Leaving a long-lasting legacy of public service and commitment to the community, pursuits he stuck with since starting as a teen, Larry Coleman Storke had a central role in protecting the community for over sixty years. He is remembered as a dedicated public servant, a great leader, a friend, and a mentor.
His lasting impact and dedication to the community will not be forgotten. Those of us who served under and later alongside Larry have many fond memories, and he will be missed.
On the final ride to the cemetery, the funeral procession passed under the crossed ladders at Station 13 as firefighters standing at attention on the firehouse ramp paid their final respects. Earlier at the funeral home the final radio call for Chief Storke went out on the emergency services radio.
Larry Storke was laid to rest at the Cherry Hill United Methodist Church Cemetery
For more on Larry Store
See the Facebook album, Saying a Final Goodbye to Chief Larry Storke
See the video, Remembering Chief Larry Coleman Storke