Captain Galen Purcell
Delaware State Police Troop 3 is located on US Route
13A between Woodside and Camden. Currently commanded by Captain
Galen M. Purcell, Troop 3 consists of 89 sworn officers and three
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 155,000 people. As with all Delaware State Police
troops, Troop 3 is a full-service police agency. A significant
change that occurred during 2009 in the Troop Administration was
Captain Robert C. Hawkins transferring to another position within
the DSP in November. Captain Hawkins served as the Troop 3 Commander
for over seven years, and his service to the citizens of Kent County
is greatly appreciated.
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. Josh A.
Bushweller. 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 2009 the Patrol Section made 16,081
traffic arrests, 496 DUI arrests, 5,294 criminal arrests, and
handled a total of 24,298 complaints. Three troopers are assigned to
the Crash Reconstruction Unit (CRU). In 2009, 14 fatal crashes were
handled by CRU.
The patrol section is most proud of the significant reductions
accomplished in the fatal crash arena. Analysis of the Troop’s fatal
statistics for the calendar year 2009 has yielded significant
decreases in two categories; number of fatal crashes and number of
persons killed.
Specifically, Troop 3 observed a 26% reduction in the number of
fatal crashes from ‘08 to ‘09 by reducing them from 19 to 14. More
importantly, the men and woman of Troop 3 were able to reduce the
loss of life by 37.5%. The number killed from ‘08 to ‘09 on DSP
patrolled roads in Kent County decreased from 24 to 15. Coupled with
the decline in fatal statistics, Troop 3 also experienced a
numerical reduction in all crash related categories.
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
2009, the CIU handled 2,681 cases and made 4,297 arrests. The Drug
Task Force and Governor’s Task Force were commanded by Lt. Brian
Fitzpatrick. These Units made 2,955 criminal arrests and 295 traffic
arrests. Unit members seized 84,951 grams of marijuana, 725 grams of
cocaine, 301 grams of crack, $80,247 in cash, 47 guns and 20 other
weapons.
Of the many incidents handled by Troop 3 during 2009, several cases
stand out. In April, members of the Troop 3 Drug Task Force
completed a several month investigation resulting in the seizure of
112 pounds of marijuana, digital scales, and packing materials.
Previous to this seizure, the Drug Task Force had seized $75,000 in
cash from the same suspect. The defendant was eventually arrested
for trafficking over 100 pounds of marijuana, possession with intent
to deliver marijuana, maintaining a dwelling, possession of drug
paraphernalia, and conspiracy second degree.
In July, the Troop 3 motorcycle Directed Response Unit (DRU) came
into being with the delivery of two new motorcycles funded by the
Kent County Levy Court. The unit consists of two full time Troopers
who focus primarily on traffic enforcement on Kent County highways.
The DRU also assists greatly in numerous escorts, including those
for fallen soldiers and other personnel killed in the line of duty
overseas.
The Kent County Crime Watch Association completed its ninth year and
is still going strong. There are currently over 28 communities
active in the association, and anyone interested in starting a crime
watch in their neighborhood is encouraged to contact Troop 3. One
crime watch member, Mr. Bailey, was awarded a Medal of valor by the
Kent County Levy Court for his assistance in the arrest of a
dangerous drug dealer.
In September, the Troop 3 Drug Task Force completed a year long
investigation into the sale of crack cocaine in the Frederica area.
The result of the investigation was thirteen individuals being
arrested for numerous drug charges, as well as the seizure of 32.5
grams of crack cocaine, 101 grams of marijuana, two vehicles, $6,500
in cash, and three handguns.
For 2009 the Troop 3 award winners were:
Trooper of the Year
Corporal Matthew Addonizio
Detective of the Year
Detective Mark Csapo
Special Investigations Investigator of the Year
Detective Jeremiah Lloyd
As in past years, the men and women of the Delaware State Police
Troop 3 look forward to serving the citizens of Kent County and the
State of Delaware.
- Information
obtained from 2009 DSP Annual Report -
