Delaware State Police Museum

Colonel Eugene Ellis, 41, died in the line of duty on Thursday, September 21st, 1967

Eugene, who was to retire in 15 days as Superintendent of the Delaware State Police, died as a result of a heart attack. On September 21, 1967. In his last public appearance, some five hours before his death, Colonel Ellis said, “…I call for respect for law and order…Unfortunately, the only contact the public has with policemen is when they receive a traffic citation. But I don’t suppose they would want to deal with drunks, degenerates, and criminals that we do…” Delaware State Troopers Association Delaware Concerns of Police Survivors Delaware FOP State Lodge

Today we remember Trooper Gerard Dowd, 28, who died in the line of duty on Tuesday, September 11th, 1990

Gerard was killed when his patrol car ran into the side of a tractor-trailer while responding to back up another trooper at a fight call involving several intoxicated subjects near Frankford, Delaware. His patrol car struck the side of the tractor-trailer at the intersection of Delaware Route 54 and Maryland Route 353. It is believed that fog contributed to the accident by preventing him from seeing the truck. “It is a shock and tremendous loss. Gerry had just left a promising career in teaching and counseling because he strongly believed he could make a positive impact on society as a trooper,” said Colonel Graviet, DSP Superintendent. Delaware Concerns of Police Survivors Delaware FOP State Lodge Delaware State Troopers Association

Today we remember Corporal Robert Bell, who died in the line of duty on Tuesday, September 7th, 1993

Robert died after contracting AIDS from a blood transfusion received following a line-of-duty injury. On January 14, 1981, Robert was assisting another trooper during a struggle with a suicidal man on Kirkwood Highway. During the struggle, Robert received a severe back injury, which required surgery and a blood transfusion. The blood he received during the surgery was tainted with AIDS, which Robert then contracted. The blood was traced to the original donor, who was confirmed to be suffering from the virus as well. Robert's wife, Linda, relates in a testimonial to her husband that, “…one day Bob says, let’s take a ride. So Bob, myself, and our four children hopped in the car and off we go. Next thing I know, we pull up to the old Troop 6 (Troop 2A), and he says, ‘I’m going in for an application. I’m going to be a trooper…..” Delaware Concerns of Police Survivors Delaware State Troopers Association Delaware FOP State Lodge

It is National Dog Day; today is the day to recognize the heart of our best friends, and for Delaware State Police, we look at our K9 partners and thank them for all they do for our Troopers.

Today we remember Trooper First Class William Mayer - William and his partner stopped the driver of a pickup truck to warn him that his taillight was not working. William was northbound on U.S. Route 13 at Smyrna, near Duck Creek Bridge, when a tractor-trailer struck the vehicle he had stopped, pinning him between the two. The driver of the tractor-trailer had been drinking and fell asleep at the wheel before striking William and killing him. The driver of the vehicle that struck William was convicted of manslaughter. As his wife Ria said “Those short years were so happy for both of us. We hoped for a long life – to grow old together. It wasn’t to be…I know he was proud to be a Delaware State Policeman and loved his work. But…he was much too young to die.”