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The annual Hometown Heroes Awards celebrate the service and dedication of first responders throughout Southern Maryland.

WALDORF, MD, October 22, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Trollinger Law LLC is proud to announce the 2026 winners of its annual Hometown Heroes Awards. Now in its fifth year, Hometown Heroes recognizes first responders in Charles County and Southern Maryland for their dedication to the communities they serve.

"First responders show up in the middle of a crisis, providing help and support to people when they need it most," says personal injury lawyer Matt Trollinger, founder of Trollinger Law LLC. "They don't do it for the accolades or the paycheck. They do it because they want to help. To our firm, that's the definition of a Hometown Hero."

The 2026 winners are:

John Edelen ‒ Sgt. John Edelen has been a member of the Maryland State Police for more than 26 years. During his career, Edelen has served in patrol, K9, and Internal Affairs. His leadership and dedication have earned him Supervisor of the Year honors five times and Trooper of the Year honors twice. Beyond his work in law enforcement, Edelen is committed to giving back to his community. He is a longtime youth soccer coach and actively supports programs such as Christmas Shop with a Cop, No Hunger November, and toy drives benefiting children in need.

Jason Posey ‒ Maryland's Jason Posey is a retired police lieutenant and United States Marine Corps veteran who dedicated his career to serving his country and community. He served four years on active duty in the Marines, completed two overseas campaign tours, and then joined the La Plata Police Department, where he served for more than 21 years before retiring in August 2026. During his law enforcement career, Posey worked in patrol and held leadership positions as Honor Guard Commander and Administrative Commander. His commitment to helping others extended beyond the badge through his work with Toys for Tots and his efforts to establish the department's Police Explorer and Cadet youth programs. Posey continues to make a difference through volunteer service throughout Southern Maryland.

William L. Smith, Jr. ‒ With more than four decades of service in fire and emergency medical services (EMS), Chief William L. Smith, Jr. has demonstrated excellence in leadership and a commitment to public safety. Since 2013, Smith has served as Fire/EMS Coordinator and Public Information Officer for Charles County's volunteer fire and EMS associations, supporting approximately 1,200 active and retired first responders. In addition to serving as department fire chief of the West Lanham Hills Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad, he is a past president of the Maryland Fire Chiefs Association. Smith is also passionate about preparing the next generation of first responders, leading the Charles County High School Fire-Rescue Cadet Program and mentoring young people pursuing careers in emergency services.

Trollinger Law LLC represents injured people in Southern Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia in workers' compensation and personal injury matters, including car accidents, truck accidents, slip-and-fall accidents, wrongful death, and medical malpractice. In Maryland, the firm has offices in Waldorf, La Plata, and Frederick and offers free consultations to individuals and families seeking legal guidance. Call (301) 965-8500 or visit https://www.trollingerlaw.com/ for more information.

Read the original story here: https://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/539827/trollinger-law-llc-honors-first-responders-with-2026-hometown-heroes-awards

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