A 75 year old farmer is shot in the doorway of his home
On the morning of August 24, 1992, a passing motorist on Route 404 in Queen Anne, Maryland, noticed a man lying in the doorway of a residence and, thinking he had fallen, stopped to report it. Upon their arrival at approximately 7:15 a.m., deputies from the Queen Anne's County Sheriff's Office discovered the body of 75-year-old Herman 'Dolly' Callahan just inside the entrance of his home. An investigation revealed that Callahan, a male, had died from a single, close-range shotgun wound.
Callahan was a well-known and hardworking local businessman, owning two cattle farms and serving as a landlord to over a dozen tenants. He was known to start his day at 4 a.m. and was described as someone who could 'turn a dollar'. While successful, it was also said that he had enemies. Investigators believe that the killer was likely known to Callahan, as the gunshot appeared to have been fired at close range.
Despite the violent nature of the crime, robbery did not appear to be the motive. A significant amount of cash, totaling $1,750, and business notes were found on Callahan's person. Adding a layer of mystery to the case, Callahan's 1985 GMC livestock truck was missing from his residence but was later found abandoned nearby at the National Guard Armory. The reason for the vehicle being moved remains unknown to investigators. The murder weapon has never been recovered.
The murder of Herman 'Dolly' Callahan remains the only cold case homicide in Queen Anne's County. Over the years, the Queen Anne's County Sheriff's Office has made several attempts to generate new leads, including sending the case for review by the Maryland State Police Cold Case Unit and featuring it on 'Queen Anne's Most Wanted.' Despite these efforts, no arrests have been made, and there are no publicly named suspects in connection with his death. Law enforcement continues to seek information from the public regarding any potential witnesses or clues that might lead to a resolution in the case.
