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Incident
Trooper Robert Paris was shot and killed while on a special burglary detail checking local motels. He and his partner encountered two men stealing televisions from rooms of a hotel at 3:40 am. When they approached the men a shootout ensued and Trooper Paris was fatally wounded by a shotgun blast. The two suspects and their getaway driver were apprehended following a large manhunt. The shooter, 30, was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life. The the other two suspects, 26 and 29, were convicted of complicity in second degree murder and sentenced to 16 and 18 years in prison. One was paroled in January of 1969. The other subject, paroled on July 1, 1969, and living in Florida since his release, was jailed in Miami on June 22, 1978, for failure to report to his parole officer and several other parole violations. Delaware officials decided not to extradite him back and he was released from jail two months later. The killer was denied parole on November 18, 1976, In July of 1977 he was one of 130 inmates who were furloughed to Wilmington work release center due to prison overcrowding. On November 16, 1978, he was transferred to the Alabama State Penitentiary where he was paroled on November 16, 1982. He died from cancer in 1992. Trooper Paris had served with the agency for 4.5 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
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.
Trooper Paris 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, Trooper Paris.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Delaware State Police has lost 21 officers; 9 of them killed feloniously.
Robert is one of 25 officers killed feloniously in DE, 49% of the 51 remembered there.
Robert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Robert 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 1963, 1 officer at Delaware State Police was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 8 years on record. The heaviest was 1972, with 2.
In 1963, 1 officer in DE was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 23 years on record. The heaviest was 1972, with 2.
In 1963, 71 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 100th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1963, 71 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 107th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Robert was 28. Of the 9 killed feloniously at Delaware State Police whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 32; the middle age was 29. Robert had served 4.5 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
Robert was 28. Of the 24 killed feloniously in DE whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45.5; the middle age was 34. Robert had served 4.5 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Robert was 28. 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. Robert had served 4.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 28. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 4.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 11.1% of these deaths at Delaware State Police; January holds the most, 33.3%. Thursdays: 33.3%.
October holds 8% of these deaths in DE; January holds the most, 16%. Thursdays: 24%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 42.9% of all 21 deaths at Delaware State Police, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 11.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 49% of all 51 deaths in DE, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Delaware State Police has 21 officers remembered here, Robert 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 the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 26-W
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