Roll of Honor
Incident
Trooper Ronald Carey and Trooper David Yarrington 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 when they noticed the suspect's vehicle at a nearby motel 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 the troopers. The next day a Maryland State Trooper spotted the suspects and gave chase. Near Centreville, the trooper fired a shot through the back glass, the bullet lodging in the back of the man's head. After the car crashed, he took custody of the female. The female suspect told officials the troopers were beating her boyfriend to death. When she pulled a revolver from her dress, it accidentally discharged SIX times. She was convicted of two counts of murder and sentenced to death. Her sentence was later commuted by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to life in prison. Law Enforcement regarded the two as a modern-day "Bonnie and Clyde." They lived in Canada and had committed several armed robberies all over Michigan and Ohio. The man had served a sentence in the Ohio Penitentiary for armed robbery. Trooper Carey served with the Delaware State Police for almost three years. He and Trooper Yarrington became troopers at the same time.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-DE-BCAA6392- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Trooper Carey gave the Delaware State Police 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Delaware. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Carey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Trooper Ronald L. Carey is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In DE, 25 of 51 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 49% of this state's fallen. That is 5.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Delaware State Police, 9 of 21 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ronald L. Carey's cause is highlighted.
How Ronald L. Carey Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ronald L. Carey is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ronald L. Carey was killed by handgun; .36 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
20 officers from Delaware State Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
