Trollinger Law LLC has announced the 2026 winners of its annual Hometown Heroes Awards, recognizing three first responders from Charles County and Southern Maryland for their dedication to the communities they serve. Now in its fifth year, the awards highlight the often-unheralded work of law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel.
The 2026 honorees are John Edelen, Jason Posey, and Chief William L. Smith, Jr., each with decades of service. Edelen, a sergeant with the Maryland State Police for more than 26 years, has served in patrol, K9, and Internal Affairs, earning Supervisor of the Year honors five times and Trooper of the Year twice. Beyond law enforcement, he coaches youth soccer and supports programs like Christmas Shop with a Cop and No Hunger November. Posey, a retired police lieutenant and Marine Corps veteran, served four years on active duty with two overseas campaign tours before joining the La Plata Police Department for more than 21 years. He was Honor Guard Commander and Administrative Commander and helped establish the department's Police Explorer and Cadet youth programs. Smith, with over four decades in fire and EMS, has served as Fire/EMS Coordinator and Public Information Officer for Charles County's volunteer fire and EMS associations since 2013, supporting approximately 1,200 active and retired first responders. He also leads the Charles County High School Fire-Rescue Cadet Program.
The awards matter because they draw attention to the sustained, often voluntary contributions of first responders at a time when public safety agencies face recruitment and retention challenges. By honoring individuals who go beyond their job descriptions, Trollinger Law reinforces the social contract between communities and those who protect them. "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 the firm. "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 recognition also underscores the firm's broader role in the region. Trollinger Law 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 and offers free consultations. The Hometown Heroes Awards thus serve as a public affirmation of the values the firm says it shares with first responders: service, sacrifice, and community commitment.
