The Delaware State Police (DSP) honors the enduring sacrifice of Corporal Dennis F. Kelly by adding his name to several law enforcement memorials, recognizing a life and service that exemplified the highest ideals of our profession. His legacy continues to inspire those who serve today.

The DSP deeply values the commitment of Delaware’s law enforcement officers, whose daily sacrifices embody the courage and dedication shared by law enforcement professionals nationwide. Their service forms the foundation of public safety in our state and beyond.

Corporal Dennis F. Kelly, originally from Wilmington, Delaware, served with the Delaware State Police for seven years. He was assigned to the Delaware State Police Aviation Section, where he demonstrated exceptional dedication to service and public safety.

On May 20, 1984, while conducting routine helicopter takeoff and landing exercises at Sussex County Municipal Airport in Georgetown, Cpl. Kelly and his partner, Cpl. Thomas W. Robbins, were involved in a crash. Their Bell Jet Ranger 206B helicopter made a hard landing and rolled over upon impact. While Cpl. Robbins sustained non-life-threatening injuries, Cpl. Kelly suffered a broken neck and spinal cord injury, resulting in quadriplegia.

Cpl. Kelly, known by his aviation call sign “Combat,” never fully recovered from his injuries. He lived with the enduring effects of the crash for four decades with strength and resilience before succumbing to complications from those injuries on December 21, 2024, at age 69.

In May 2025, Cpl. Kelly’s name will be formally added to both the Delaware State Police Memorial, located at DSP Headquarters in Dover, and the Delaware Law Enforcement Memorial on Legislative Mall. Currently, there are 23 troopers honored on the DSP Memorial. Cpl. Kelly will be the 24th trooper recognized for making the ultimate sacrifice. In May 2026, his name will also be added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.

“Dennis felt privileged to be part of the Delaware State Police family,” stated Mrs. Paula Kelly, wife of Cpl. Dennis Kelly. “A guy who never considered himself lucky thought he hit the lottery when he joined the Aviation Section—getting paid to do what he loved. I know he would be humbled and honored by this acknowledgment of his helicopter accident and the life he lived over the past 40 years.”

“Corporal Kelly’s resilience in the face of life-changing injuries and his decades-long struggle to live with honor reflect the very essence of what it means to wear this uniform,” stated Colonel William D. Crotty, Superintendent of the Delaware State Police. “His name will now be etched alongside our fallen heroes, where it rightfully belongs.”

“In the line of duty, our officers face not only the dangers of their daily work but also the unforeseen challenges that come with their training,” stated Governor Matt Meyer. “The tragic loss of Corporal Kelly underscores the sacrifices made by those committed to community service. His dedication and spirit will remain in our memories. We stand united in honoring his legacy and supporting his family during this challenging time.”

“I am deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Corporal Kelly,” stated Joshua Bushweller, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security. “His loss reminds us of the sacrifices made by those who protect and serve. His bravery and dedication will forever be remembered, and it is fitting that his name will now be enshrined alongside those who gave their lives in the line of duty. My heartfelt condolences and thoughts go out to his family, friends, and colleagues who are grieving this tremendous loss. May we honor his memory by continuing to uphold the values for which he stood.”

The Delaware State Police extends its deepest sympathies to Cpl. Kelly’s family, friends, and fellow troopers. His memory and service will forever remain a part of our agency’s history. To learn more about Cpl. Kelly’s life and legacy, his family has created a tribute page at StoriesOfHisLife.com.

As we prepare for National Police Week in May, we invite the public to join us in honoring all fallen law enforcement officers. Whether attending events in person or reflecting quietly at home, we encourage Delawareans to pause and remember the women and men who gave their all in service to others. The Delaware Fraternal Order of Police will host the annual Delaware Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Service at 1200 hours on the Legislative Mall in Dover on May 7, 2025.

Delaware State Police have identified 43-year-old Thomas Pusey of Wilmington, Delaware, as the man who died in a fatal pedestrian crash that occurred in Wilmington on Friday night.

The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this incident. Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed this collision to please contact Master Corporal J. Forester by calling 302-365-8485. 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 you 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 last night in Wilmington that left one man dead.

On April 25, 2025, at approximately 11:24 p.m., a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee was traveling in the left westbound lane of Kirkwood Highway, approaching the intersection with North Woodward Avenue. For unknown reasons, a pedestrian entered the Jeep’s path of travel from the north edge of the roadway, and was struck by the SUV.

The pedestrian, a 43-year-old man from Wilmington, Delaware, was pronounced dead at the scene. His name is being withheld until his family and relatives are notified.

The driver of the Jeep, a 31-year-old man from Wilmington, Delaware, was not injured.

The roadway was closed for approximately 2 hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.

The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this incident. Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed this collision to please contact Master Corporal J. Forester by calling 302-365-8485. 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 you 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.

Delaware State Police have identified two individuals found deceased inside a vehicle on April 20, 2025, as 33-year-old Brittani Hollis and 35-year-old Kamal Paddy, both of Dover, Delaware.

Preliminary investigation revealed that Hollis and Paddy were in a domestic relationship. The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. At this stage of the investigation, detectives do not believe there is any threat to public safety. No additional information is being released at this time.

Detectives are urging anyone with information related to this case to contact Detective D. Grassi at daniel.grassi@delaware.gov or by calling (302) 365-8441. 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.

Delaware State Police have identified 73-year-old Joseph Bonello of Clayton, Delaware, as the man who died in a fatal crash that occurred in Clayton on Tuesday afternoon.

The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this incident. Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed this collision to please contact Sergeant J. Jefferson by calling 302-365-8484. 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 you 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.

Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal crash that occurred Tuesday afternoon in Clayton.

On April 22, 2025, at approximately 12:08 p.m., a Chevrolet Silverado was traveling eastbound on Clayton Delaney Road, approaching the intersection with Alley Mill Road. At the same time, a silver Jeep Compass was traveling northbound on Alley Mill Road and rolled through the stop sign at the intersection. As a result, the front of the Silverado struck the driver’s side of the Jeep.

The driver of the Silverado, a 40-year-old man from Clayton, and his two passengers were transported to an area hospital, where they were treated for minor injuries and later released.

The driver of the Jeep, a 73-year-old man from Clayton, was also transported to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His identity is being withheld until his family is notified.

The roadway was closed for approximately 3 hours while the Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit investigated the crash and cleared the roadway.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant information is asked to contact Sergeant J. Jefferson at (302) 365-8484. 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 you 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 assault that occurred in Georgetown this morning that left two men injured.

On April 21, 2025, at approximately 4:56 a.m., troopers responded to the 27000 block of Paradise Street in Georgetown for a report of an assault. When troopers arrived, they learned that an unknown male suspect was entering unsecured vehicles in the neighborhood when three residents confronted him. The suspect assaulted two of the residents with a broken bottle and they chased the suspect to a van that was parked nearby. The victims attempted to restrain him, but he was able to flee in the van. One of the victims, a 39-year-old man taken to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The second victim, a 34-year-old man suffered minor injuries.

The suspect is described as an unknown Hispanic male, approximately 5’10” tall, last seen wearing dark clothing, and white Nike sneakers. He was operating unknown white Chevrolet van that fled eastbound on Homestead Road. Surveillance images and video are not yet available.

Delaware State Police 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 A. Stimac by calling 302-752-3791. 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 home invasion that occurred Saturday night in Dover.

On April 19, 2025, at approximately 10:12 p.m., troopers responded to a residence on the 200 block of Greenview Drive in Dover, for a report of a home invasion. The preliminary investigation revealed approximately five armed male suspects forcibly entered the home, which was occupied by 2 adults and 6 children. The suspects ransacked the home, and fled. There was no property reported stolen at this time.

No one in the home was injured. The suspects are described as approximately five masked and armed black males. Surveillance images and video are not yet available.

The Delaware State Police Troop 3 Criminal Investigations Unit is investigating this incident. Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding this case to contact Detective J. Sydnor by calling 302-698-8540. 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 Homicide Unit is conducting a death investigation in Dover after two people were found dead in a vehicle.

On April 20, 2025, at approximately 7:28 a.m., troopers responded to the intersection of Sharon Hill Road and Cahoon Branch Road in Dover for a death investigation. Upon arriving, troopers found a vehicle on the shoulder with 2 occupants that had apparent gunshot wounds. The occupants, a 33-year-old woman, and a 35-year-old man, both from Dover, were pronounced dead at the scene. Their identities are being withheld until their families are notified. Due to the nature of the incident, the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit assumed the investigation. Detectives believe there is no threat to public safety at this time.

The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit is actively investigating this incident. Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding this case to contact Detective D. Grassi by email at daniel.grassi@delaware.gov or by calling 302-365-8441. 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