In 1923, the basic infrastructure of the Delaware State Police was formulated. Troop 4, known at the time as “Station 4,” was a small wooden building located on Dupont Highway, north of Georgetown.
Between 1937 and 1938, two new state police facilities were constructed in Sussex County. The old wood frame building which had served as Station 4 was replaced with a brick building designed to accommodate the growing force and its fleet of patrol cars and motorcycles.
Due to an increase in the number of petty thefts occurring in the southern portion of the state and the increasing demand for night service, Station 4 in Georgetown began operating on a 24-hour basis in 1930. The “special night patrols” were successful in reducing the number of reported poultry and grain thefts occurring in southern Delaware. During this time, Station 4 was home to one sergeant and five privates.
In 1943, seven female civilian employees were hired for the first time to assist with clerical duties to help ease the staffing shortages resulting from World War II. These female employees proved invaluable to the operation of the department and provided the impetus for the establishment of the full-time civilian work force which now exists. Eight years later, on June 15, 1951, Miss Constance “Connie” Dick was hired as a secretary with Delaware State Police. Miss Connie remains a staple of Troop 4, and in June 2023 celebrated 72 years of dedicated service. Miss Connie has served under 30 troop commanders and her contributions are immeasurable.
In 1947, Colonel Herbert Barnes came up with the idea of a summer camp for Delaware youth. In March 1948, the Delaware Association of Chiefs of Police leased a 12-acre parcel of land in Frankford and on June 14th, 1948, the first campers arrived at Camp Barnes. Celebrating 75 years of service in 2023, Camp Barnes provided 562 Delaware youth an opportunity to develop confidence, leadership, and positive relationships through teamwork.
On May 27, 1957, the Delaware State Police opened its first sub-station, designated Troop 4A, located on Delaware Route 1, north of Dewey Beach. This substation was initially manned during the summer to compensate for increased traffic and to receive complaints of criminal activity in the resort area. In 1969, Troop 4A was renamed Troop 7. In 1983 a new Troop 7 was opened and the criminal investigative function for Sussex County was consolidated at Troop 4 in Georgetown. Uniformed traffic patrols from Troop 4 were ended until the opening of the current Troop 4 in the 1990s.
Troop 4 is currently home to approximately 90 sworn personnel. Troop 4 serves the citizen of Sussex County through patrol operations and criminal investigations including but not limited to Major Crimes, Property Crimes, Financial Crimes, Evidence Detection, Youth Aid, School Resource Officers, and more.
“Troop 4 has the distinct privilege of serving the citizens of Delaware from New Castle to Sussex County,” says Captain Christy Ballinger, Commander of Troop 4. “From patrol operations to criminal investigations and Camp Barnes service, the women and men of Troop 4 are embodying the core values of this agency day in and day out. Their commitment to service is unmatched and it is with gratitude and pride, I serve as the Troop 4 Commander.”
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