On June 8, 1979, Maryland State Trooper William P. Mills, 32, responded to a call for assistance in the rural trailer community of Brookview. The call came from neighbor Myron W. Thomas, who reported a possible assault or threat. Trooper Mills arrived about 4:30 p.m., and was shot in the chest by a .38 caliber pistol as he exited his patrol car; while trying to draw his service revolver he was struck again by fire from a high-powered rifle. Thomas, 31, was also fatally shot at the scene.

A resident used Trooper Mills’ patrol car radio to summon backup. Responding troopers arrested 68-year-old neighbor Richard H. Bassett at the scene; he was charged with two counts of murder. Trooper Mills was flown to Peninsula General Hospital in Salisbury and pronounced dead shortly after arrival at 5:45 p.m.; Thomas was pronounced dead at the location. On November 6, 1979, Bassett was found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed to a mental institution for the two deaths.

Are there readers who remember Brookview in 1979 or who knew Trooper Mills or Myron Thomas and can share details about that day?