We're grateful to the Troopers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the month of May.

 

 

William I. Jearman
1937-1979
On May 12, 1979 Lieutenant William Jearman, 42, died in the Delaware Division Hospital, Wilmington, Delaware after a short illness. He was serving, at the time of his death, as the Assistant Director of the Traffic Section for the Delaware State Police. Lt. Jearman was at home, preparing for departure to attend an out-of-state law enforcement course. In 1963, William Jearman entered police work as a patrolman with the Ocean City, Maryland Police Department. The following year he was appointed to the Delaware State Police. Lieutenant Jearman is survived by his wife Alice and two daughters, Tracy and Patricia. Following funeral services, he was buried in the Roxanna Cemetery, Roxanna, Delaware.

 

 

Raymond B. Wilhelm
1920-1951
Trooper Raymond B. Wilhelm, 31 years of Wilmington, Delaware lost his life on Memorial Day, May 30, 1951 as he made a deeply humanitarian but vain attempt to swerve his patrol vehicle away from a mongrel dog which was in the roadway. A graduate of the University of Delaware and a four year veteran, Trooper Wilhelm died shortly after the accident on U.S. Route 40 near Glasgow, Delaware. Following his accident, Trooper Wilhelm was rushed to Delaware Hospital where ironically his sister, Margaret E. Hughes, a nurse, was attending to another trooper who haoop 2 (State Road). He had served in the U.S. Army in World War II and achieved the rank of 2nd Lieutenant in the d been injured in an accident eleven days earlier. Joining the force in 1947, Trooper Wilhelm was stationed at Troop 5 (Bridgeville) for one year and then transferred to Trartillery. His troop commander, Captain Winfield Cochran, described Raymond Wilhelm as “one of the finest troopers on the force, a man of outstanding qualities and a splendid brother officer.”

 

Museum Opens New Exhibit Detailing 1979 Lambertson Murder Case

On Tuesday, June 1, 2021, the Delaware State Police Museum revealed its new exbibit which detailed the events surrounding the Lambertson Murder Case and included the renown execution of the convicted murder Billy Bailey.

On May, 21, 1979, Bailey tragically shot and murdered Clara and Gilbert Lambertson inside of their home located just north of Dover. Bailey was a habitual offender who was facing possible life in prison for a recent check forgery conviction. On this date, Bailey committed an armed robbery of a local liquor store before traveling to the Lamberston’s residence. Shortly after the murders, Delaware State Police responded and canvassed the area for Bailey. Delaware State Police Aviation located Bailey fleeing on foot. As the helicopter was hovering close to the ground, a trooper pilot jumped from the aircraft and gave chase. Bailey fired a gunshot towards the pursuing trooper, but missed and was ultimately tackled and taken into custody.

Following a successful trial, Bailey was sentenced the death penalty. Bailey refused the option of dying by lethal injection and instead opted to be hanged. On January 25, 1996, Billy Bailey was the first to be hanged in Delaware since 1946 and only the third in the United States since 1965.
The Delaware State Police Museum located at 1425 North DuPont Highway, Dover, DE, 19901, is open and visitors are welcome. Our hours of operation are 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Monday - Friday and the first Saturday of the month, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM. We are closed on Federal Holidays. If you have questions, please call 302-739-7700.

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A Memorial Tribute to our Fallen Heroes

 

Click here to view a Memorial Tribute to our Fallen Heroes.
Those who gave the ultimate sacrifice - their life.

 

 

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