The Delaware State police is mourning the loss of one of its own - Corporal Stephen J. Ballard.
"It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we announce the death of a Delaware State trooper," said State Police superintendent Col. Nathaniel McQueen Wednesday afternoon, announcing that Cpl. Ballard was shot at a Bear area Wawa around noon and died a short time later at Christiana Hospital. The 32-year-old Ballard had been with State Police for 8½ years.
McQueen says Cpl. Ballard saw two people in a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot of the Wawa on Route 40 at Salem Church Road and approached the car.
"The trooper made contact with the occupants and shortly thereafter, a struggle ensured. It was at this time one of the two suspects exited the vehicle and proceed to fire several rounds, striking the trooper," said McQueen. "Responding troopers arrived at the scene and took one of the suspects into custody without incident. The second suspect had fled on foot prior to their arrival."
The second suspect eventually barricaded himself in his home in the Brick Mill Farm development in Middletown and remains there Wednesday night, refusing to surrender and occasionally firing at police officers.
State police say multiple Special Operations Response Teams and Conflict Management Teams from allied police agencies continue to attempt to persuade him to surrender. Shortly before 8:30 pm Wednesday, the Explosives Ordinance Disposal Unit (EOD) utilized an explosive breaching charge on the front door, but police did not enter.
Around 4 am Thursday, the man shot again at police. More charges were used on windows, but police again did not enter the home.
Residents in the neighborhood have been evacuated. The Odessa Fire Company is opening its facility to temporarily house those displaced residents of Brick Mill Farms.
The Appoquinimink School District placed its schools on lockdown for a time, but that was lifted at 3:30 pm.
Ballard is just the 19th Delaware State Trooper killed in the line of duty in department's 94-year history, and the first since Corporal Christopher Shea was struck by a drunk driver in 2004. Ballard is the fourth to be killed by gunfire, and the first killed by gunfire since 1972, when troopers Ronald Carey and David Yarrington died when shot when confronting robbery suspects.
Gov. John Carney has ordered flags in the state be flown at half-staff until further notice to honor Cpl. Ballard.
“One of our sworn Troopers has lost his life performing a duty on behalf of the people of Delaware,” said Gov. Carney. “My heart is with the officer’s family and the officers who have served beside him. Delaware's law enforcement officers go to work every day knowing they put their lives on the line to protect ours. We are incredibly indebted to their bravery and service.”
Sen. Carper and Sen. Coons also offered their condolences.
“My heart is in Delaware, and it breaks for the loved ones of the Delaware State Police trooper who will not return home this evening. Martha and I consider Delaware State troopers to be an extension of our family. We are sending our love and prayers to his friends, family and the Delaware State Police family," said Sen. Carper in a statement. "This unthinkable tragedy reminds us of the extraordinary courage and service of our men and women in law enforcement protecting our communities."
“This situation is a heartbreaking reminder of the risks our police and first responders face when they take an oath to keep our communities safe,” said Sen. Coons in a statement. “My thoughts and prayers are with the trooper’s family, the Delaware State Police and the state’s entire law enforcement family.”
