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Incident
Trooper Gerard Dowd was killed when his patrol car ran into the side of a tractor trailer while responding to backup another trooper at a fight call involving several intoxicated subjects. Trooper Dowd's 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. Trooper Dowd had served with the Delaware State Police for just over one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents and five siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
NW-21V0-TRJB-Rearlier record number BO-US-DE-57C350DB- Stewardship
- 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
You barely got started.
Trooper Dowd gave the Delaware State Police 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the people of Delaware. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Dowd.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Delaware State Police has lost 21 officers; 11 of them lost to accidents.
Gerard is one of 19 officers lost to accidents in DE, 37.3% of the 51 remembered there.
Gerard is one of 8,274 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,543 remembered there.
Gerard is one of 10,099 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,910 remembered here.
33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1990, 2 officers at Delaware State Police were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1990, 2 officers in DE were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1990, 66 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 64th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1990, 87 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 43rd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Gerard was 28. Of the 11 lost to accidents at Delaware State Police whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 36.5; the middle age was 31. Gerard had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Gerard was 28. Of the 19 lost to accidents in DE whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 36.5; the middle age was 31. Gerard had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Gerard was 28. Of the 7,715 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Gerard had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Gerard was 28. Of the 9,448 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Gerard had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 9.1% of these deaths at Delaware State Police; November holds the most, 18.2%. Tuesdays: 36.4%.
September holds 5.3% of these deaths in DE; November holds the most, 15.8%. Tuesdays: 26.3%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
How
Accident deaths account for 52.4% of all 21 deaths at Delaware State Police, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 37.3% of all 51 deaths in DE, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,543 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,910 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Delaware State Police has 21 officers remembered here, Gerard 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 61-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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