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Incident
Corporal Stephen Ballard was shot and killed while investigating a suspicious vehicle at a gas station on Pulaski Highway, near Salem Church Road, in Bear, Delaware.
He made contact with two people he observed in the vehicle, at which point one of the men began struggling with him. The man pushed Corporal Ballard away from him and began to run. After taking several steps he turned around and opened fire on Corporal Ballard, wounding him. The man then chased Corporal Ballard as he sought cover behind a vehicle. The man shot him numerous times, including several times after Corporal Ballard fell to the ground.
Responding officers apprehended one of the subjects at the scene. The second subject fled to his home where he barricaded himself inside. After a long standoff, the subject exited his home and opened fire on officers, who returned fire killing him.
Corporal Ballard had served with the Delaware State Police for 8-1/2 years and was assigned to Troop 2, Glasgow.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, daughter, and parents.
In Our Keeping
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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.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Corporal Ballard gave the Delaware State Police 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Delaware. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corporal Ballard.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Delaware State Police has lost 21 officers; 9 of them killed feloniously.
Stephen is one of 25 officers killed feloniously in DE, 49% of the 51 remembered there.
Stephen is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Stephen is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2017, 1 officer at Delaware State Police was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 8 years on record. The heaviest was 1972, with 2.
In 2017, 2 officers in DE were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 2017, 59 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 129th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2017, 64 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 125th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Stephen was 32. Of the 9 killed feloniously at Delaware State Police whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 32; the middle age was 29. Stephen had served 8.5 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
Stephen was 32. Of the 24 killed feloniously in DE whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45.5; the middle age was 34. Stephen had served 8.5 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Stephen was 32. 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. Stephen had served 8.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Stephen was 32. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Stephen had served 8.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 22.2% of these deaths at Delaware State Police; January holds the most, 33.3%. Wednesdays: 22.2%.
April holds 12% of these deaths in DE; January holds the most, 16%. Wednesdays: 16%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 42.9% of all 21 deaths at Delaware State Police, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 44.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 49% of all 51 deaths in DE, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 40% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Delaware State Police has 21 officers remembered here, Stephen 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
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 14-W
What is kept
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