Roll of Honor
Incident
Trooper Rupert was killed in an automobile crash during a pursuit of a car he had attempted to stop for traffic violations. The chase had just crossed the state line into Pennsylvania when the vehicle Trooper Rupert was a passenger in tried to pass the suspect vehicle. The suspect vehicle rammed the patrol car, causing it to collide with an oncoming tractor-trailer. Trooper Rupert received fatal injuries in the collision, and his partner was seriously injured. The driver of the suspect vehicle later turned himself in after learning of the fatal accident and was charged with involuntary manslaughter. The 22-year-old was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to one year in a Pennsylvania prison. He served his sentence and was returned to Delaware, where he was convicted of several traffic violations. He was sentenced to 10 years probation, fined $3,400.00, and his license was revoked for 10 years. Trooper Rupert was a U.S. Marine Corps WWII and Korean War veteran and had served with the Delaware State Police for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-DE-EE9BE6FC- 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 First Class Rupert gave the Delaware State Police 6 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
Harold Bruce Rupert served in the Marine Corps (1946â1948) before joining law enforcement.
Trooper First Class Harold Bruce Rupert 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. Harold Bruce Rupert's cause is highlighted.
How Harold Bruce Rupert Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 1 year
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Harold Bruce Rupert is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Harold Bruce Rupert was killed by automobile.
Others Who Wore This Badge
20 officers from Delaware State Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
