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Incident
Corporal Frances Collender was struck and killed by a vehicle while assisting at the scene of a previous collision around 6:00 a.m.
Corporal Collender had stopped her patrol car behind a van that was disabled in the travel lane on Route 1 near the U.S. 13 overpass near Odessa, Delaware. As she was standing next to her patrol car with lights activated, her car was struck from behind by another vehicle. Corporal Collendar was pinned against the front of her patrol car. She was transported to Christiana Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries approximately two hours later.
The driver of the vehicle that struck her vehicle was not charged in connection with the crash.
Corporal Collender had served with the Delaware State Police for 4 years.
Survivors
Survivors include her two daughters and parents.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Corporal Collender gave the Delaware State Police 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Delaware. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corporal Collender.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Delaware State Police has lost 21 officers; 11 of them lost to accidents.
Frances is one of 19 officers lost to accidents in DE, 37.3% of the 51 remembered there.
Frances is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Frances is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2001, 1 officer at Delaware State Police was lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 10 years on record. The heaviest was 1990, with 2.
In 2001, 1 officer in DE was lost to accidents, the 5th heaviest of 15 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 2.
In 2001, 77 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2001, 89 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 39th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Frances was 39. Of the 11 lost to accidents at Delaware State Police whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 36.5; the middle age was 31. Frances had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Frances was 39. Of the 19 lost to accidents in DE whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 36.5; the middle age was 31. Frances had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Frances was 39. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Frances had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Frances was 39. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Frances had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 9.1% of these deaths at Delaware State Police; November holds the most, 18.2%. Tuesdays: 36.4%.
February holds 10.5% of these deaths in DE; November holds the most, 15.8%. Tuesdays: 26.3%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 52.4% of all 21 deaths at Delaware State Police, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 37.3% of all 51 deaths in DE, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Her people
Delaware State Police has 21 officers remembered here, Frances among them.
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Francis P. Ryan
Nov 2, 1922
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Paul H. Sherman
Oct 16, 1945
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Leroy L. LeKites
Jan 13, 1950
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Raymond B. Wilhelm
May 30, 1951
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William F. Mayer
Aug 8, 1955
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Harold Bruce Rupert
Apr 19, 1962
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Robert A. Paris
Oct 17, 1963
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William C. Keller
Jan 22, 1971
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Ronald L. Carey
Jan 5, 1972
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David C. Yarrington
Jan 6, 1972
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George W. Emory
Jun 3, 1972
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David Bruce Pulling
Nov 18, 1987
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Kevin J. Mallon
Mar 20, 1990
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Gerard T. Dowd
Sep 11, 1990
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Robert H. Bell
Sep 7, 1993
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Sandra Marie Wagner
Apr 5, 1996
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Frances Marie Collender
Feb 6, 2001
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Christopher Michael Shea
Jul 18, 2004
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Stephen Jamelle Ballard
Apr 26, 2017
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Dennis Francis Kelly
Dec 21, 2024
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Matthew Tyler Snook
Dec 23, 2025
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 22-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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