Trollinger Law LLC has named three Southern Maryland first responders as the 2026 recipients of its annual Hometown Heroes Awards. Now in its fifth year, the awards recognize first responders in Charles County and Southern Maryland for their dedication to the communities they serve. The firm announced the winners in a press release dated October 22, 2026.
The 2026 honorees are John Edelen, Jason Posey, and William L. Smith, Jr., each with decades of service in law enforcement or fire and emergency medical services.
John Edelen has been a member of the Maryland State Police for more than 26 years, serving in patrol, K9, and Internal Affairs. He has earned Supervisor of the Year honors five times and Trooper of the Year honors twice. Beyond his law enforcement duties, Edelen is a longtime youth soccer coach and supports programs such as Christmas Shop with a Cop, No Hunger November, and toy drives for children in need.
Jason Posey is a retired police lieutenant and United States Marine Corps veteran. 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. Posey worked in patrol and held leadership positions as Honor Guard Commander and Administrative Commander. His community involvement includes work with Toys for Tots and efforts to establish the department’s Police Explorer and Cadet youth programs. He continues to volunteer throughout Southern Maryland.
William L. Smith, Jr. has more than four decades of service in fire and emergency medical services. Since 2013, he 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. Smith is also department fire chief of the West Lanham Hills Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad and a past president of the Maryland Fire Chiefs Association. He leads the Charles County High School Fire-Rescue Cadet Program, mentoring young people pursuing emergency services careers.
“First responders show up in the middle of a crisis, providing help and support to people when they need it most,” said 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 awards highlight the critical role first responders play in community safety and well-being. Recognizing their contributions can boost morale and encourage others to volunteer or pursue careers in emergency services. For residents of Southern Maryland, the honorees’ stories underscore the human element behind public safety.
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. The firm has offices in Waldorf, La Plata, and Frederick, Maryland, and offers free consultations.
