Colonel Melissa Zebley, Superintendent of the Delaware State Police, proudly announces the promotion of Captain Christy Ballinger to the esteemed rank of Major on January 9th, 2024.  Assuming the role of Administrative Officer for the division, Major Ballinger brings a wealth of experience, dedication, and exemplary leadership cultivated over her illustrious two-decade career within the Delaware State Police.

Major Ballinger embarked on her journey with the DSP on July 26, 2002, as a recruit in the 73rd DSP Academy Class. Upon completing her academy training, she was assigned to Troop 1 and Troop 2 for field training. In 2003, she was assigned to Troop 5 patrol. After serving in a uniformed patrol capacity for nearly 8 years, she transitioned to Troop 3 Polygraph in the Criminal Investigations Unit in 2010. In September 2012, she was promoted to Sergeant and assumed the role of patrol shift supervisor at Troop 4 until November 2014.

Over the course of her distinguished career, Major Ballinger has assumed various roles, exemplifying her adaptability and commitment to the Delaware State Police. Serving as a Sergeant in Human Resources-Polygraph from November 2014 to April 2018, Traffic Lieutenant at Troop 7 from April 2018 to May 2019, and Criminal Lieutenant at Troop 7 from May 2019 to October 2021, Major Ballinger has consistently showcased her exceptional leadership skills. Her capacity to oversee a substantial number of patrol troopers, effectively manage troop-level discipline, and actively engage with the community through various events and partnerships with neighboring agencies highlights her invaluable contributions to the Delaware State Police

In October 2021, she was promoted to the rank of Captain and was subsequently assigned to Troop 5. Serving as Troop Commander of Troop 4 from December 2022 to January 2024, Major Ballinger exhibited outstanding leadership skills while overseeing the activities of patrol troopers and criminal investigators. Her impact extended to key initiatives such as the Troop 4 Building Project, where she played a pivotal role. In addition to her operational responsibilities, Major Ballinger took on the crucial role of Chairperson for the Diversity Council, demonstrating a commitment to fostering an inclusive environment within the Delaware State Police. Her active involvement in the Delaware State Police 100th Anniversary Events Committee further underscored her commitment, contributing significantly to the success of commemorative events during this milestone celebration.

Major Ballinger’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Arcadia University. She has also undergone specialized training in polygraph examination from the Maryland Institute of Criminal Justice and is a member of the American Polygraph Association.

Her leadership acumen is highlighted by her graduation from the prestigious Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy in 2023 and her membership in the International Association of Chiefs of Police since 2022.

In her current role as the Administrative Officer for the Delaware State Police, Major Christy Ballinger is poised to continue her contributions to the division and the community. We congratulate Major Ballinger and her family on her well-deserved promotion.

The Delaware State Police are investigating a shooting that occurred Sunday night in a neighborhood in Ellendale.

On January 14, 2024, at approximately 10:18 p.m., troopers responded to a residence on Candy Lane for a report of shots fired. When troopers arrived, they discovered that the home had been struck several times and recovered numerous shell casings at the scene.

There were two adults in the home at the time of the shooting. No one was injured, and the motive behind the incident remains unclear. A suspect description is unknown at this time.

Troop 4 Criminal Investigations Unit continues to investigate this incident. Detectives are asking anyone who witnessed or has information regarding this case to contact Detective W. Saylor by calling 302-752-3897. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.

The Delaware State Police Sex Offender Apprehension and Registration Unit (S.O.A.R.) is currently looking for the following wanted sex offenders after they either failed to register or re-register at their current address. If anyone knows the location of these individuals, please call 302-672-5306. Information may also be provided by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

The following individuals are not wanted. This is a Homeless Sex Offender Public Notification. If you have information that the listed individuals are occupying a residence, please call 302-672-5306. Information may also be provided by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

The Delaware State Police have identified 39-year-old Sonya Briddell of Georgetown, Delaware, as the woman who died in the fatal crash that occurred Monday evening in Georgetown.

The Delaware State Police Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this incident. Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed this crash to contact Seargent J. Burns by calling (302) 703-3269. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 847-3333.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.

The Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal pedestrian crash that occurred Monday evening in Georgetown that left one woman dead.

On January 8, 2024, at approximately 6:14 p.m., a 2017 Volkswagen Jetta was traveling southbound on Dupont Boulevard in the left lane, north of Ennis Road. A 1993 Honda Accord was also traveling southbound in the right lane at an unknown distance behind the Volkswagen. For reasons under investigation, a 39-year-old pedestrian, entered the left southbound lane in the Volkswagen’s path of travel. As a result, the pedestrian was struck by the Volkswagen in the left lane of southbound Dupont Boulevard and thrown into the right lane where she was then struck by the Honda.

The pedestrian, a 39-year-old woman, was pronounced dead at the scene. Her name is being withheld until her family and relatives are notified.

The driver of the Volkswagen, a 45-year-old man from Ellendale, Delaware, was not injured.

The driver of the Honda, a 39-year-old man from Millsboro, Delaware, was not injured.

The roadway was closed for approximately 3 hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.

The Delaware State Police Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this incident. Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed this crash to contact Seargent J. Burns by calling (302) 703-3269. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 847-3333.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.

The Delaware State Police are investigating an armed robbery that occurred on Saturday evening in the parking lot of a Kirkwood Highway grocery store.

On January 6, 2024, at approximately 7:20 p.m., troopers responded to a report of an armed robbery at La Estrella located at 4536 Kirkwood Highway in Wilmington. The preliminary investigation revealed that the victim was approached by an unknown black male suspect in the parking lot of the grocery store as he was returning to his vehicle. The masked suspect pushed the victim into the side of the victim’s truck after demanding money from him. The suspect then pressed a firearm into the victim’s stomach while continuing to demand money. The victim complied and the suspect fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash in a southbound direction behind the business. Responding troopers searched the area for the suspect but were unable to locate him.

The suspect is described as a black male armed with a firearm. As of now, surveillance video and images are not available.

The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Criminal Investigations Unit is diligently pursuing this case. Investigators urge anyone with information about this case to contact Detective Rob Strecker at (302) 365-8413. Additionally, information can be shared via a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime, or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.

The Delaware State Police Sex Offender Apprehension and Registration Unit (S.O.A.R.) is currently looking for the following wanted sex offenders after they either failed to register or re-register at their current address. If anyone knows the location of these individuals, please call 302-672-5306. Information may also be provided by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

The following individual is not wanted. This is a Homeless Sex Offender Public Notification. If you have information that the listed individuals are occupying a residence, please call 302-672-5306. Information may also be provided by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

The Delaware State Police have identified 20-year-old Willi Aguilar-Garcia of Lewes, Delaware, as the man who died in a fatal crash that occurred Tuesday afternoon in Millsboro.

The Delaware State Police Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this incident. Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed this crash to contact Senior Corporal J. Smith by calling (302) 703-3267. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 847-3333.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.