Captain Galen Purcell

Delaware State Police Troop 3 is located on US Route 13A between Woodside and Camden. In 2008, commanded by Captain Robert C. Hawkins, Troop 3 consists of 91 sworn officers and four civilians. Troop 3 is the only troop in Kent County and houses both uniform troopers and criminal detectives. Out of the 628 square miles in Kent County, Troop 3 provides police services to 595 square miles -- the largest of all state police troops. The population of Kent County is 140,000 people. As with all Delaware State Police troops, Troop 3 is a full-service police agency.

On a yearly basis, Troop 3 supports the operations of the Delaware State Fair, the NASCAR races at Dover Downs International Speedway, and the Dover Air Force Base Air Shows along with the community events “Safe Summer Day” at Brecknock Park and “Delaware Night Out” in Camden.

The Troop 3 Patrol Section is under the command of Lt. Joseph E. Huttie. The Patrol Section includes four shifts, each supervised by a sergeant. In addition to the four shifts, there is a two-person Direct Response Unit. During 2008, the Patrol Section made 18,181 traffic arrests, 532 DUI arrests, 4,961 criminal arrests, and handled 22,890 complaints. Three troopers are assigned to the Crash Reconstruction Unit (CRU). In 2008, 19 fatal crashes were handled by the CRU.

The Criminal Investigative Unit (CIU), under the command of Lt. James P. Fraley, consists of twenty-four detectives who are assigned to several units including Major Crimes, Property Crimes, Domestic Violence, Fraud, Youth Aid, and the Evidence Detection Unit. In 2008, the CIU handled 3,442 cases and made 5,385 arrests, and recovered $558,577.00 in stolen property.

Troop 3’s Drug Unit and Governor’s Task Force were commanded by Lt. Brian J. Fitzpatrick. The GTF and Drug Unit made 1,706 criminal arrests. In addition, they recovered $71,279.00 in stolen property, seized $368,558.00 in U. S. currency that were drug proceeds, seized over 258 lbs. of marijuana, over 9 lbs. of powdered cocaine and over 3 lbs. of crack cocaine during the year. These units took 88 firearms off the streets in Kent County.

Of the many incidents handled by Troop 3 in 2008, several stand out. On February 22, 2008, a high-stakes poker game was robbed at the Wild Quail Country Club in Wyoming. Detectives investigating the case learned that Tpr. HyunJin Kim was present during the robbery, but had fled prior to police arrival. Detectives linked pillowcases that were placed on the heads of victims to individuals who had purchased the same pillowcases from the Camden Walmart. Troopers from Troop 3 brought it to the attention of investigators that the photo of a male who had purchased pillowcases had a strong resemblance to Tpr. Kim. As the investigation continued, Tpr. Kim’s personal vehicle was identified on a Walmart video. A search warrant was obtained for Tpr. Kim’s personal residence. Outside the residence, evidence was found in a burn pile that was directly related to the Wild Quail robbery. This led to the arrest of Kim and five of his associates, some of which were childhood friends from Philadelphia. All suspects were incarcerated and have since pled to robbery charges.

On February 28, 2008, Cpl. Jon Wood and Tpr. Mark Thomas stopped a 1999 Chevy Blazer driven by a Norfolk, VA, woman, near Harrington for a traffic violation. A consent to search the vehicle was obtained after conflicting information was given. The search yielded three laundry bags of marijuana weighing 140 lbs. This was the largest seizure in recent years in Kent County.

On September 9, 2008, an unveiling ceremony of a memorial to the six troopers from Troop 3 who had died in the line of duty was held at Troop 3. This beautiful memorial was presented to Troop 3 from Pippin’s Funeral Home. Relatives, classmates and friends of the fallen troopers were in attendance.

On November 10, 2008, the most devastating accident on Delaware roadways occurred. Two Ford Explorers collided head-on two miles west of Frederica causing both vehicles to burst into flames. Five members of the Crow-Rinaldi family perished in one vehicle and Michael Miller, the operator of the second vehicle, also perished.

In December, 2008, the Troop 3 Needy Family Fund provided Christmas for six families who had been recommended by the Victim’s Service Unit or Troopers from Troop 3. This fund is supported by donations and the sales of Troop 3 and other Delaware State Police memorabilia.

For 2008, the Troop 3 award winners were:

Trooper of the Year: Cpl. /2 Jon F. Wood
Detective of the Year: Detective Kristin L. Willard
Drug Investigator of the Year: Detective Mentino M. DiSilvestro

- Information obtained from 2008 DSP Annual Report -