Bernard T. Haywood, a retired Maryland State Police commander who championed programs to combat drunken driving, died Monday of heart failure at the University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Medical Center in Bel Air.

The Cardiff resident was 91.

The son of Ernest Charles Haywood, a Baltimore police officer, and Frieda Foster Haywood, a homemaker, Bernard Thomas Haywood was born in Baltimore and lived on Gorsuch Avenue. He was a graduate of city public schools.

He was 17 when he enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1943. He served in the Pacific with the infantry and was in the first wave that landed on Iwo Jima on Feb. 19, 1945. He was discharged in 1945.

After leaving the Marines, he joined the Maryland State Police and completed basic training in 1946. While serving at the Conowingo Barracks, Mr. Haywood saved the life of a young boy who was trapped in an automobile after an accident near Port Deposit.

The boy was presumed dead by first responders, but Mr. Haywood performed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation until the boy began to cry.

Mr. Haywood was presented the Governor's Citation for valor and courage and for his “good judgment and skill.”

Mr. Haywood was appointed assistant commander of the North East Barracks in 1978, and was recognized for his skill in handling a highly dangerous situation when a fellow trooper was shot, family members said.

In 1980, state police and the Harford County sheriff's department joined forces in Operation Spider, whose mission was to reduce incidents of drunken driving, which had sharply increased. The program ended in 1984.

After serving as commander of the Glen Burnie Barracks, Mr. Haywood was named in 1982 to command the Bel Air Barracks. Promoted to captain in 1986, he left Harford County to serve as commander of the Baltimore Metro Troop, composed of the Glen Burnie, Annapolis, Security and Valley districts.

During a 41-year career that ended with his retirement in 1987, Mr. Haywood received a Superintendent's Commendation and five Superintendent's Letters of Recognition.

His wife of more than 60 years, the former Evelyn Bryson, died in 2013.

He was an avid golfer.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Harkins Funeral Home, 600 Main St., Delta, Pa.

He is survived by a son, Dr. Thomas B. Haywood of Hagerstown; four granddaughters; three great-granddaughters; and a longtime friend, Phyllis Ford of Shrewsbury, Pa.

—?Frederick N. Rasmussen