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Incident
Corporal Keith Heacook succumbed to injuries sustained on April 25th, 2021, when he was assaulted after responding to a fight call in the 11000 block of Buckingham Drive in Delmar, Delaware.
He was the only officer on duty when he responded to the call at approximately 5:00 a.m. Corporal Heacook was assaulted by a male subject who then repeatedly stomped on his head after he had become unconscious. The man then assaulted an elderly couple who lived across the street.
Officers from the Delaware State Police and Wicomico County Sheriff's Office, Maryland, were dispatched to check on Corporal Heacook when he failed to respond to dispatchers. He was transported to a hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, where he succumbed to his injuries on April 28, 2021.
The man who assaulted him was convicted of 16 counts, including two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault, and terroristic threatening. He was sentenced to two life terms in prison plus 212 years.
Corporal Heacook remained on life support so his organs could be donated.
Corporal Heacook had served with the Delmar Police Department for 22 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his son and wife.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
22 years. You could have gone home.
Corporal Heacook gave the Delmar Police Department 22 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Delmar community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corporal Heacook.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Keith is the only officer of Delmar Police Department remembered here.
Keith is one of 25 officers killed feloniously in DE, 49% of the 51 remembered there.
Keith is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Keith is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2021, 1 officer in DE was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 23 years on record. The heaviest was 1972, with 2.
In 2021, 90 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2021, 92 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Keith was 54. Of the 24 killed feloniously in DE whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45.5; the middle age was 34. Keith had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Keith was 54. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Keith had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Keith was 54. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Keith had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 12% of these deaths in DE; January holds the most, 16%. Wednesdays: 16%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Delmar Police Department. The weapon recorded was person, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 49% of all 51 deaths in DE, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 1.8% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 11-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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