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.

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

 

Francis Ryan
1891-1922
The Delaware State Police dates its inception to April 28, 1923. It is sometimes forgotten that, as with many organizations, the present evolves from a precursor. So it is with our organization. It had its beginnings in 1919 with the Delaware State Highway Police. One of the State Highway Police’s brave officers was Officer Francis Ryan, the first state police officer to die in the line of duty. Officer Ryan was born December 7, 1891 and at the age of 31 joined the Highway Police in the summer of 1922. While attempting to apprehend a speeding motorist on the Philadelphia Pike, October 17, 1922, Officer Ryan’s motorcycle was struck by a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction. Severely injured, Officer Ryan was taken to a local doctor for immediate treatment. He was subsequently taken to Delaware Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries on November 2, 1922. Francis Ryan was buried in Glebe Cemetery, Old New Castle, Delaware. He is survived by his grandniece, Mrs. Lori (McCrone) Dougherty, her three sisters, Karen Doughtery, Diane McMinds and Colleen K. Stein and their children. No employment information concerning Officer Francis Ryan has been located to date. (Click here for the newspaper article)

 

 

James D. Orvis
1916-1950
Trooper James D. Orvis, 34 years, of the Delaware State Police died on November 17, 1950 in Boston, Massachusetts. Detective Orvis had just completed the Francis Glessner Lee legal medicine course. As he exited the facility at the Harvard Medical College, Orvis collapsed and died. Detective Orvis’ body was returned to his home in Clayton, Delaware for burial. On November 20, 1950 funeral services were held at the Wells-Faries Funeral home. Internment of Trooper Orvis took place at the Holy Cross Cemetery, Dover. Trooper James Orvis was survived by his wife, Esther Shortall and a son, James Jr.

 

 

 

 

 

David B. Pulling
1956-1987
On November 18, 1987 Corporal David Pulling, 31, a six-year veteran of the Delaware State Police was killed when an explosive device detonated at the F.B.I. Bomb Data Training Center, Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Alabama. Corporal Pulling joined the State Police on September 8, 1981 and during his career was assigned to the K-9 unit, SORT Unit, and the Traffic Division at Troop 3, Camden. David Pulling was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on January 22, 1956. He moved to Dover in 1968 with his parents, Richard and Jacqueline, and his brother, Richard, Jr. Corporal Pulling attended Dover High School and the University of Delaware. After graduation David worked with his brother, for four years, at the Petersburg, Virginia Police Department. He moved back to Delaware in 1981, joining the Delaware State Police. Corporal Pulling was married to his wife Elizabeth in 1981 and was the father of two boys, George, his step son, and Jonathan. The boys were very important to Dave. Funeral Services were held at the Odds Fellows Cemetery, Camden, Delaware. (Photo Gallery)

 

 

 

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