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)

 

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.

Click here to read the entire article.

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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