Stephen Jamelle Ballard

Delaware State Police — Dover, DE

Felonious

End of Watch April 26, 2017

Age 32

Tour of Duty 8 yrs 6 mo

The Vigil Panel 167 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 20

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

Permanent identifier: BO-US-DE-9384B113
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.
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

Department Delaware State Police

Location Dover, DE

Platform Identity dsp.de.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 26, 2017

Tour of Duty 8 yrs 6 mo

Age 32

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Handgun

Offender Shot and killed

Corporal Stephen Jamelle Ballard 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