Family Member Charged with Murder in Death of Retired Annapolis, MD, Firefighter

From gathering holiday presents every year for kids in need through the Annapolis Fire Department’s annual Santa Run to making sure he was available around the clock to new department recruits, retired Annapolis Fire Department Capt. Robert “Bobby” Daywalt was known in the Annapolis community as someone who was there for others.

“Bobby was always willing to give a helping hand,” Annapolis Fire Chief Douglas Remaley said in a statement. “He would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. He will be missed.”

Daywalt died in his home in Ridgely, Caroline County, on Sept. 29. He was 65.

Police have since charged Daywalt’s 22-year-old great-nephew, Tyler Davis, with murder and manslaughter. Police believe Davis assaulted his great-uncle, which they say caused his death.

Remaley said he was “shocked” by the news that Daywalt had died. He said the retired fire captain had dedicated his life to public safety.

“Even after retirement, he continued to teach fire service personnel throughout the state in leadership, firefighting, hazardous materials, and emergency medical training as an instructor with the University of Maryland – Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute,” Remaley said.

According to charging documents, on Sept. 29, Caroline County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the retired firefighter’s home in Ridgely for a report of a cardiac arrest.

Police said that when the deputies arrived, they found Daywalt in a bedroom. Paramedics pronounced him dead, they said.

According to charging documents, Daywalt appeared to have suffered “multiple” blunt force injuries. Police said Daywalt’s face had swelled and he had skin scraped off on his forearms, a hematoma and “numerous” scrapes and scratches “consistent with an assault.”

Charging documents state that Daywalt’s great-nephew, Davis, who lived with and took care of Daywalt, said he had assaulted his great-uncle “during the overnight hours” between Sept. 28 and Sept. 29.

Police said that at first, Davis told deputies he had been drinking alcohol the night before Daywalt’s death and didn’t remember anything that happened between 9 p.m. and when he went to bed. Davis later admitted to getting into a physical altercation with his great-uncle that night, police said.

According to charging documents, Davis told deputies he went into Daywalt’s room while Daywalt was changing. Davis reportedly said he “got mouthy and said something I shouldn’t have” to his great-uncle.

Police said Davis reported that Daywalt punched him in the mouth. According to charging documents, Davis said he then grabbed his great-uncle by the arms and pushed him into a dresser.

Davis told police he “blacked out” as he continued to assault his great-uncle, police said.

Davis has been charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter, reckless endangerment, first- and second-degree assault and three counts of vulnerable adult abuse. If convicted of second-degree murder, he could face 40 years in prison.

Davis is being held without bail. He has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Oct. 28 in the Caroline County District Court.

Dana Boston, the public defender representing Davis, declined to comment on his client’s case Monday.

A ‘great’ fireman who could make everyone laugh

Born April 22, 1959, Daywalt grew up in Annapolis and graduated from Annapolis High School in 1977.

According to the fire department, after serving as a volunteer firefighter at the Eastport Volunteer Fire Co. and the West Annapolis Volunteer Fire Co., in 1979, Daywalt took a job with the Annapolis Fire Department as a career firefighter.

The department said he rose through the ranks, eventually becoming captain on June 1, 2008. He retired exactly two years later, on June 1, 2010.

In his time with the department, Daywalt served in multiple divisions, including operations, training and the Explosive Services Unit.

“Bobby was especially proud of his time in the Training Division, where he served as a recruit training officer for multiple recruit academies in Anne Arundel and Howard County fire departments,” the department said in an email to the Capital Gazette.

Annapolis Fire Capt. Bud Zapata said Daywalt was patient with recruits and took the time to help them. He said Daywalt was beloved by the community.

Annapolis Professional Firefighters Association Local 1926 President Joe Pilat said Daywalt — whom he met in 2006 when Pilat joined the department — was a “great fireman” who could make everyone around him laugh.

“He was fun to be around,” Pilat said.

When he wasn’t working, Daywalt could be found watching sports. According to the fire department, Daywalt liked to support Annapolis High School baseball, football and basketball teams, and could often be found in their bleachers watching the games.

Pilat said Daywalt had also served as a volunteer with the Arnold Volunteer Fire Department.

According to the fire department, Daywalt had five siblings. They said he is survived by three of his siblings: two sisters and a brother.

Daywalt’s funeral services were held earlier this month.

©2025 Capital Gazette. Visit at capitalgazette.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.