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Incident
Trooper William Keller was killed in an automobile crash while en route to an undercover assignment in Dover. While traveling south on US Highway 13, a garbage truck pulled out in front of him near Tybouts Corner. He was unable to brake in time and crashed into the back of the vehicle. He succumbed to his injuries en route to a local hospital. The driver failed two sobriety tests. He was charged with manslaughter but was acquitted. Trooper Keller was a United States Navy veteran and had served with the Delaware State Police for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute - 1 candle.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew William. Claim this record.
Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. William is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Trooper Keller gave the Delaware State Police 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Delaware, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
William C. Keller served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Delaware State Police has lost 21 officers; 9 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 25 officers killed feloniously in DE, 49% of the 51 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
William is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1971, 1 officer at Delaware State Police was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 8 years on record. The heaviest was 1972, with 2.
In 1971, 1 officer in DE was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 23 years on record. The heaviest was 1972, with 2.
In 1971, 168 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1971, 181 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 23. Of the 9 killed feloniously at Delaware State Police whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 32; the middle age was 29. William had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
William was 23. Of the 24 killed feloniously in DE whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45.5; the middle age was 34. William had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
William was 23. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. William had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 23. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 33.3% of these deaths at Delaware State Police, more than any other month. Fridays: 11.1%.
January holds 16% of these deaths in DE, more than any other month. Fridays: 24%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 42.9% of all 21 deaths at Delaware State Police, the 2nd most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 49% of all 51 deaths in DE, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Delaware State Police has 21 officers remembered here, William among them.
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Francis P. Ryan
Nov 2, 1922
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Paul H. Sherman
Oct 16, 1945
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Leroy L. LeKites
Jan 13, 1950
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Raymond B. Wilhelm
May 30, 1951
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William F. Mayer
Aug 8, 1955
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Harold Bruce Rupert
Apr 19, 1962
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Robert A. Paris
Oct 17, 1963
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William C. Keller
Jan 22, 1971
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Ronald L. Carey
Jan 5, 1972
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David C. Yarrington
Jan 6, 1972
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George W. Emory
Jun 3, 1972
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David Bruce Pulling
Nov 18, 1987
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Kevin J. Mallon
Mar 20, 1990
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Gerard T. Dowd
Sep 11, 1990
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Robert H. Bell
Sep 7, 1993
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Sandra Marie Wagner
Apr 5, 1996
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Frances Marie Collender
Feb 6, 2001
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Christopher Michael Shea
Jul 18, 2004
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Stephen Jamelle Ballard
Apr 26, 2017
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Dennis Francis Kelly
Dec 21, 2024
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Matthew Tyler Snook
Dec 23, 2025
Where
Military Service
William C. Keller served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Visit William C. Keller’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 2-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
20 officers from Delaware State Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
