Thurmont Police Department

05/29/2026

** Media Release - May 29, 2026 **

In November 2025, the Thurmont Police Department investigated an assault involving a juvenile female at a business located in Thurmont. The suspect was identified as Byron Ward Rice, age 74, of Thurmont, Maryland. On December 10, 2025, Mr. Rice was served with a criminal summons charging him with one count of Second-Degree Assault.

In March 2026, the Thurmont Police Department Criminal Investigation Division received information from an anonymous source regarding possible child po*******hy offenses involving Mr. Rice.

The reporting individual advised they previously had access to computer equipment belonging to Mr. Rice and observed files containing suspected pornographic material involving juveniles. Information was also provided regarding online communications involving underage females.

During the investigation, Detective Irons identified multiple files containing child po*******hy associated with the suspect’s computer devices and online accounts.

On May 6, 2026, Mr. Rice was served with a criminal summons charging him with seven counts of Accessing and Viewing Child Po*******hy.

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Thurmont’s press releases and other community announcements can be received by enrolling in the Community Alert System (CAS). To participate in this program, please email the department at [email protected] with your name and email address.

05/20/2026

05/08/2026

“The EPA defines an illicit discharge as ‘any discharge to an MS4 (Stormwater System) that is not composed entirely of stormwater. The Town encourages residents to report any illicit discharges or water quality complaints to Town staff. Some examples of reportable activities include: 

04/06/2026

We’re still missing one Golden Egg winner! Did you find it?

Today is your last chance to claim your prize, come see us at the Thurmont Police Department before 5:30pm.

*** 4/6/2026 Update: We’re still missing one Golden Egg winner! Did you find it?

Today is your last chance to claim your prize, come see us at the Thurmont Police Department before 5:30PM.

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EASTER EGG HUNT IN THE TOWN OF THURMONT!
Saturday, March 28, 2026

Attention Elementary Aged Kids and Parents!

Thurmont Police Therapy Dogs, Lucy & LeRoy, will be hiding Easter Eggs throughout the parks in the Town of Thurmont.

The hunt begins at 8:00am this Saturday, March 28, 2026, and continues until all eggs are found.

FIVE EGGS PER CHILD. Each egg will contain a prize!

Additionally, EIGHT GOLDEN EGGS will be hidden- one in each park. If you find one of the GOLDEN EGGS you will receive a GRAND PRIZE! (Limit one golden egg per child)

🐾 NEW THIS YEAR – A Special Hunt for Your Four-Legged Friends! 🐾

Therapy Dogs Lucy and LeRoy have sniffed out a fun idea and requested a Special Easter Egg Hunt just for their four-legged friends!

Hop, skip, and wag your way over to Thurmont Dog Park (located in East End Park), where eggs will be hidden around the dog park. (Limit one egg per dog)

Lucy and LeRoy have also hidden two special Golden Eggs somewhere in the dog park. Do you think your pup has the nose to sniff one out?

Lucy and LeRoy can’t wait to see all their furry friends join in the fun. Get those noses ready for some egg-cellent sniffing!

🏆🐣 Prize Redemption 🐣🏆

Golden Eggs and prize egg coupons can be redeemed at the Thurmont Police Department:
Monday, March 30th – Thursday, April 2nd from 8:00am – 4:00pm
***Golden Egg & Coupon must be presented to claim prize. Dogs on a leash are welcome in the lobby to help pick up their prize!

GOOD LUCK!
-Therapy Dogs Lucy & LeRoy

Participating Parks:
- Community Park (both parks), 21 Frederick Road, Thurmont MD 21788
- East End Park, 804 East Main Street, Thurmont MD 21788
- Eyler Road Park, 15 Eyler Road, Thurmont MD 21788
- Woodland Park, 702 Woodland Avenue, Thurmont MD 21788
- Pleasant Acres Park, 36 Pleasant Acres Drive, Thurmont MD 21788
- Orchard Hills Park, 129 Redhaven Court, Thurmont MD 21788
- Carroll Street Park, Carroll Street @ Easy Street, Thurmont MD 21788
- Ice Plant Park, 104 Spalding Alley, Thurmont MD 21788

04/03/2026

The Thurmont Police Department Administrative Offices will be closed on Friday, April 3rd for Good Friday.

For assistance, please call:
Emergency: 911
Non-Emergency: (301) 600-2071

03/24/2026

*** 4/6/2026 Update: We’re still missing one Golden Egg winner! Did you find it?

Today is your last chance to claim your prize, come see us at the Thurmont Police Department before 5:30PM.

******************************************
EASTER EGG HUNT IN THE TOWN OF THURMONT!
Saturday, March 28, 2026

Attention Elementary Aged Kids and Parents!

Thurmont Police Therapy Dogs, Lucy & LeRoy, will be hiding Easter Eggs throughout the parks in the Town of Thurmont.

The hunt begins at 8:00am this Saturday, March 28, 2026, and continues until all eggs are found.

FIVE EGGS PER CHILD. Each egg will contain a prize!

Additionally, EIGHT GOLDEN EGGS will be hidden- one in each park. If you find one of the GOLDEN EGGS you will receive a GRAND PRIZE! (Limit one golden egg per child)

🐾 NEW THIS YEAR – A Special Hunt for Your Four-Legged Friends! 🐾

Therapy Dogs Lucy and LeRoy have sniffed out a fun idea and requested a Special Easter Egg Hunt just for their four-legged friends!

Hop, skip, and wag your way over to Thurmont Dog Park (located in East End Park), where eggs will be hidden around the dog park. (Limit one egg per dog)

Lucy and LeRoy have also hidden two special Golden Eggs somewhere in the dog park. Do you think your pup has the nose to sniff one out?

Lucy and LeRoy can’t wait to see all their furry friends join in the fun. Get those noses ready for some egg-cellent sniffing!

🏆🐣 Prize Redemption 🐣🏆

Golden Eggs and prize egg coupons can be redeemed at the Thurmont Police Department:
Monday, March 30th – Thursday, April 2nd from 8:00am – 4:00pm
***Golden Egg & Coupon must be presented to claim prize. Dogs on a leash are welcome in the lobby to help pick up their prize!

GOOD LUCK!
-Therapy Dogs Lucy & LeRoy

Participating Parks:
- Community Park (both parks), 21 Frederick Road, Thurmont MD 21788
- East End Park, 804 East Main Street, Thurmont MD 21788
- Eyler Road Park, 15 Eyler Road, Thurmont MD 21788
- Woodland Park, 702 Woodland Avenue, Thurmont MD 21788
- Pleasant Acres Park, 36 Pleasant Acres Drive, Thurmont MD 21788
- Orchard Hills Park, 129 Redhaven Court, Thurmont MD 21788
- Carroll Street Park, Carroll Street @ Easy Street, Thurmont MD 21788
- Ice Plant Park, 104 Spalding Alley, Thurmont MD 21788

03/16/2026

Severe weather is forecast today for Frederick County. Severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging 70-80 mph wind gusts, hail, lightning and tornadoes will move through the area. Peak impact is expected 1pm-7pm, however ANY of the storm bands today can produce severe thunderstorms.

Timing: Storm bands will move through the area all day; peak impacts expected 1pm-7pm.
Impact: Potential for damaging 70-80 mph wind gusts, hail, lightning, and tornadoes. Winds can cause downed trees and power lines. Periods of heavy rain can reduce visibility.

Actions: When a Severe Thunderstorm or Tornado Warning is issued “Go inside, stay inside”. Immediately go inside a sturdy building and stay there until the Warning ends. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. An underground area, such as a basement or storm cellar, provides the best protection from a tornado.
• Seek a small, interior room or hallway on the lowest floor.
• Stay away from doors, windows, and outside walls.
• Avoid places like garages, gymnasiums or warehouses that have flat, wide-span roofs.
• For Tornado Warnings, a basement provides the best protection.

Be sure phones are charged and flashlights are operational.

02/22/2026

UPDATE: Joseph has been found safe.

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🚨 MISSING PERSON – SILVER ALERT ISSUED 🚨

A Silver Alert has been issued for 77 year-old, Joseph Dattoli, who suffers from dementia. Please read and share.

Last Seen:
Joseph was last seen at his home on Browns Lane in Thurmont at approximately 7:30 AM today, where he left in a 2012 grey GMC Sierra. Tag #: 95N886.

Last Contact:
Between 4:30 PM and 4:35 PM, he called and left a voicemail for a family member stating that he was lost. The call originated from Advance Auto Parts in Romney, West Virginia. He was reportedly heading westbound, likely on US Route 50.

Description:
• Height: 5 feet 10 inches
• Weight: Approximately 210 pounds
• Clothing: Orange shirt, red jacket, and gray pants

If you have seen this individual or have any information regarding his whereabouts, please contact 911 immediately

02/14/2026

It’s Paw-lentine’s Day! 💕🐾

Join us TODAY from 12:00 - 1:30pm at the Thurmont Police Department for an afternoon of therapy dog cuddles, alpaca smiles 🦙, books, coloring, and Valentine’s fun!

Bring a Valentine for our Therapy Animal Teams and officers- or just stop by to say hello. Everyone is welcome!

Thurmont Police Department: 800 E Main St., Thurmont
See you soon! 💗🐶👮‍♂️

https://www.facebook.com/ThurmontPoliceDept/posts/pfbid0DjeYyUM7VAAoyBwHJAHz74xd3M9kfbAUSzeMJ3WtfteHAuc1pE8j8dDjD5NVYW6gl

Paw-lentine’s Day Party with Wags for Hope & Thurmont Police Department! 💌🐾

Celebrate Valentine’s Day the paw-fect way! Wags for Hope is partnering with the Thurmont Police Department to host a Paw-lentine’s Day Party filled with love, smiles, and Therapy Dogs!

This is your chance to meet some of our amazing Wags for Hope Therapy Dog Teams who work closely with the Thurmont Police Department to support our community.

❤️Come read a book to a therapy dog
❤️Or just stop by for some gentle pets and puppy love
❤️Bring or make a Valentine’s Day card for your favorite therapy dog
❤️Pick up Wags for Hope coloring pages
❤️Enjoy books, treats, Paw-lentine’s cards, and more!

👮‍♂️🐶 You’ll also have the opportunity to meet a Thurmont Police Officer alongside our four-legged friends!

Saturday, February 14th (Valentine’s Day!) from 12:00pm – 1:30pm at the Thurmont Police Department

Whether you come to read, color, pet a therapy dog, or just soak up the love, this event is for YOU!

We can’t wait to see you there! 🐾💗

02/13/2026

Looking for something fun to do tomorrow? 💕

Join us tomorrow at the Thurmont Police Department for a sweet afternoon with Wags for Hope Therapy Teams, including Therapy Dogs and a Therapy Alpaca! 🐶🦙

Stop in anytime between 12:00pm – 1:30pm to read, color, make or drop off a Valentine, and spend some time with our therapy animals and officers.

Thurmont Police Department: 800 E Main St., Thurmont
All are welcome! We hope to see you there! 💗🐾

https://www.facebook.com/ThurmontPoliceDept/posts/pfbid0DjeYyUM7VAAoyBwHJAHz74xd3M9kfbAUSzeMJ3WtfteHAuc1pE8j8dDjD5NVYW6gl

Paw-lentine’s Day Party with Wags for Hope & Thurmont Police Department! 💌🐾

Celebrate Valentine’s Day the paw-fect way! Wags for Hope is partnering with the Thurmont Police Department to host a Paw-lentine’s Day Party filled with love, smiles, and Therapy Dogs!

This is your chance to meet some of our amazing Wags for Hope Therapy Dog Teams who work closely with the Thurmont Police Department to support our community.

❤️Come read a book to a therapy dog
❤️Or just stop by for some gentle pets and puppy love
❤️Bring or make a Valentine’s Day card for your favorite therapy dog
❤️Pick up Wags for Hope coloring pages
❤️Enjoy books, treats, Paw-lentine’s cards, and more!

👮‍♂️🐶 You’ll also have the opportunity to meet a Thurmont Police Officer alongside our four-legged friends!

Saturday, February 14th (Valentine’s Day!) from 12:00pm – 1:30pm at the Thurmont Police Department

Whether you come to read, color, pet a therapy dog, or just soak up the love, this event is for YOU!

We can’t wait to see you there! 🐾💗