William C. Keller

Delaware State Police — Dover, DE

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch January 22, 1971

Age 23

Tour of Duty 2 yrs

The Vigil Panel 108 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 20

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: BO-US-DE-5FB1E3D2
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 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

Department Delaware State Police

Location Dover, DE

Platform Identity dsp.de.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 22, 1971

Tour of Duty 2 yrs

Age 23

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Military Service

William C. Keller served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Trooper William C. Keller 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.

Delaware State Police

of 21 officers

42.9% Felonious

DE — Statewide

of 51 officers

49% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious