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Incident
Trooper David Yarrington and Trooper Ronald Carey were shot and killed in Pennsylvania by the female accomplice of a suspect they were struggling with. The troopers were investigating an armed robbery at a motel on U.S. Route 202 near the Pennsylvania state line when they noticed the suspect's vehicle at a nearby hotel just over the state line. When they began to investigate the vehicle, they became engaged in a struggle with the 30-year-old male suspect. During the struggle, his 19-year-old girlfriend shot both troopers. Trooper Carey died on the scene, and Trooper Yarrington succumbed to his wounds the next day. The next day a Maryland state trooper spotted the suspects, who refused to stop. During the high-speed chase near Centreville, the trooper fired a shot through the back window, the bullet lodging in the man's head, killing him. After his car crashed, the trooper took custody of his girlfriend. She told officials the troopers were beating her boyfriend to death. She said she pulled a revolver from her dress that accidentally discharged SIX times. Law enforcement regarded the couple, who lived in Canada, as a modern-day "Bonnie and Clyde." They had committed several armed robberies all over Michigan and Ohio. The man had served a sentence in the Ohio Penitentiary for armed robbery. The female was convicted of two counts of armed robbery and was sentenced to death. Her sentence was later commuted by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to life in prison. As of 2017, she was in prison. Trooper Yarrington was a United States Navy veteran and had served with the Delaware State Police for just under 3 years. He and Trooper Carey became troopers at the same time.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and child.
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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. David 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 Yarrington gave the Delaware State Police 3 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
David C. Yarrington 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.
David is one of 25 officers killed feloniously in DE, 49% of the 51 remembered there.
David is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
David 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 1972, 2 officers at Delaware State Police were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1972, 2 officers in DE were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1972, 142 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 28th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1972, 160 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
David was 24. Of the 9 killed feloniously at Delaware State Police whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 32; the middle age was 29. David had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
David was 24. Of the 24 killed feloniously in DE whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45.5; the middle age was 34. David had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
David was 24. 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. David had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
David was 24. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. David had served 3 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. Thursdays: 33.3%.
January holds 16% of these deaths in DE, more than any other month. Thursdays: 24%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
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 27,552 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 34,103 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, David 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
Military Service
David C. Yarrington served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Visit David C. Yarrington’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 12-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.
