The Delaware State Police is conducting a death investigation of a Delaware Department of Correction inmate.

On April 19, 2026, at approximately 6:00 p.m., troopers responded to the Delaware Psychiatric Hospital at 1901 DuPont Highway in New Castle for the report of an assault.  The preliminary investigation revealed that 73-year-old Fred O’Neal III, a sentenced inmate, was involved in a physical altercation with a fellow inmate.  O’Neal was transported to an area hospital with critical injuries, where he later died.

The victim was turned over to the Delaware Division of Forensic Science, where an autopsy will be performed to determine the cause and manner of death.

The Delaware State Police Criminal Investigations Unit is actively investigating this case.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or has lost a loved one to a sudden death and needs 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 single-vehicle fatal crash that occurred last night in Hartly.

On May 3, 2026, at approximately 7:30 p.m., a Ford F-350 was traveling northbound on Butterpat Road south of Bear Pond Road in Hartly. The preliminary investigation revealed that the F-350 failed to negotiate a curve, the unrestrained driver over-corrected, and was ejected from the truck. It is believed that the driver’s door was not properly secured at the time of the crash. The unoccupied F-350 continued northbound and ultimately came to a stop in a field.

The driver, a 31-year-old man from Hartly, Delaware, was pronounced dead at the scene. His name is being withheld until his family is notified.

The roadway was closed for approximately 4 hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.

The investigation is still ongoing by the Delaware State Police Troop 3 Collision Reconstruction Unit. Troopers ask anyone who witnessed or has information about the crash to contact Sergeant M. Long by calling (302) 698-8518. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) 847-3333.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or has lost a loved one to a sudden death and needs 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 is investigating an armed robbery that occurred Sunday morning at a convenience store in Newark.

On May 3, 2026, at approximately 8:15 a.m., troopers responded to the Shore Stop, located at 796 South Old Baltimore Pike, for a reported robbery. The preliminary investigation revealed an unknown suspect, wearing a mask and armed with a knife, entered the business and approached the store clerk. The suspect demanded money from the register. The clerk complied, and the suspect fled with an undisclosed amount of cash. No injuries were reported.

The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Criminal Investigations Unit continues to investigate this incident. Investigators ask anyone with information relevant to the investigation to contact Detective S. Marioni by calling (302) 365-8388. 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 (SOAR) is issuing the following public notifications of homeless and wanted sex offenders.

Wanted Sex Offenders

SOAR 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) 739-5882.  Information may also be provided by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) 847-3333.  The individuals shown represent only a portion of the current wanted sex offenders. Please see the Delaware Sex Offender Registry website for the complete list.

Homeless Sex Offenders

The following individual is not wanted for failing to register or re-register at their current address.  This is a homeless sex offender public notification.  If you have information that the listed individual are occupying a residence, please call (302) 739-5882. Information may also be provided by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) 847-3333.  The individual shown recently reported homeless and represents only a portion of the current homeless sex offenders. Please see the Delaware Sex Offender Registry website for the complete list.

The Delaware State Police have secured a murder indictment for 30-year-old Dempsey Fritchey of Lewes, Delaware, following an assault that occurred in January in Lewes.

On January 29, 2026, at approximately 5:45 p.m., troopers responded to the Hyatt House, located at 17254 Five Points Square in Lewes, after a guest told hotel staff that he had killed his grandmother in one of the hotel rooms. When troopers arrived, they spoke to the suspect, identified as Dempsey Fritchey, who was near the lobby and told troopers that he may have killed his grandmother. He was detained without incident. Troopers responded to the room and found a 72-year-old woman, identified as Elizabeth Fritchey, unconscious and suffering from injuries to her face and head. Troopers provided medical aid to the victim until EMS arrived and she was taken to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries. On February 10, 2026, she died from the injuries she received during the assault.

On April 13, 2026, Fritchey was indicted by a Sussex County Grand Jury for first degree murder and remains committed to the Delaware Department of Correction.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or has lost a loved one to a sudden death and needs 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 has identified 26-year-old Anthony Hunt of Lewes, Delaware, as the man who died in a single-vehicle fatal crash in Lewes on Sunday.

The investigation is still ongoing by the Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit.  Troopers ask anyone who witnessed the crash to contact Master Corporal R. Albert at (302) 703-3266.  Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) 847-3333.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or has lost a loved one to a sudden death and needs 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 arrested 55-year-old Francis Robinson, of Dover, Delaware, on felony 6th Offense DUI and weapons charges following a traffic stop Sunday afternoon in Leipsic.

On April 26, 2026, at approximately 2:00 p.m., a trooper patrolling Smyrna Lespic Road near Front Street conducted a traffic stop on a Dodge Dakota after observing it displaying a registration plate assigned to a different vehicle. Upon contact with the driver, identified as Robinson, the trooper observed signs of impairment and saw multiple open beer cans inside the vehicle.  The trooper learned Robinson had consumed alcohol just prior to driving and he refused to participate in any Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. Robinson was arrested without incident.

During a search of the Dakota, troopers recovered a loaded shotgun. A computer check revealed Robinson has five prior DUI-related convictions and is prohibited from possessing firearms due to a previous violent felony conviction. Troopers also determined Robinson was operating the vehicle in violation of a court order prohibiting him from driving. Additionally, he was found to be in possession of approximately 7.88 grams of suspected marijuana.

Robinson was taken to Troop 9 where troopers obtained a search warrant for his blood. He was charged with the below listed offenses, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and was committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $83,700 cash bond.

• Possession of a Firearm if Previously Convicted of a Violent Felony (Felony)
• 6th Offense Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (Felony)
• Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon (Felony)
• Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Person Prohibited Who Also Possesses a Controlled Substance (Felony)
• Noncompliance with Conditions of Recognizance Bond or Conditions (Felony)
• Possession of a Firearm while Under the Influence
• Related Traffic Offenses

The Delaware State Police is investigating a single-vehicle fatal crash that occurred early Sunday morning in Lewes.

On April 26, 2026, at approximately 12:20 a.m., a Dodge Ram was traveling southbound on Wil King Road, just south of Kendale Road in Lewes. For reasons currently under investigation, the vehicle left the roadway, entered a ditch, and overturned onto its roof before striking a tree.

The driver, a 26-year-old man from Lewes, Delaware, was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle.  He was transported to a local hospital, where he died. The victim’s name is being withheld until his family is notified.

The investigation is still ongoing by the Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit.  Troopers ask anyone who witnessed the crash to contact Master Corporal R. Albert at (302) 703-3266.  Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) 847-3333.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or has lost a loved one to a sudden death and needs 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 identified 26-year-old Rhys Newcombe, from Wilmington, Delaware, as the man who died in the two-vehicle fatal crash Thursday night in Wilmington.

The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this crash. Anyone who witnessed or has video of the crash is asked to contact Master Corporal R. Kunicki at (302) 365-8417. 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 has lost a loved one to a sudden death and needs 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 announced the recipients of the 2025 Trooper of the Year and Professional Staff of the Year Awards during a ceremony on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. To highlight the importance of the event, notable attendees included Governor Matt Meyer, Chief Deputy Attorney General Dan Logan, Department of Safety and Homeland Security Secretary Joshua Bushweller, Colonel William D. Crotty, and Sergeant Shawn Doherty, President of the Delaware State Troopers Association, who all offered congratulatory remarks.

Trooper of the Year

The Delaware State Police Trooper of the Year is awarded annually to one sworn employee who is recognized by their peers as having outstanding character and integrity and whose actions or performance significantly exceeded expectations during that calendar year.

From the twelve nominees, Colonel Crotty and the Executive Staff selected Corporal Robert Prettyman as the 2025 Trooper of the Year for his exceptional efforts and contributions to the Division and the citizens of the State of Delaware.

Trooper of the Year Nominees

Trooper First Class Colin Osler – Troop 1

Detective Justin Adams – Troop 2 Criminal Investigations Unit

Trooper First Class Jonathan Lado – Troop 2 Patrol

Detective Brandon Yencer – Troop 3 Criminal Investigations Unit

Trooper First Class Jacob Pangle – Troop 3 Patrol

Detective Heidi Lingo – Troop 4 Criminal Investigations Unit

Trooper First Class Brian Nieto – Troop 4 Patrol

Corporal Robert Prettyman – Troop 5

Corporal/1 Matthew “Ty” Snook – Troop 6

Corporal/1 Ryan Nowakowski – Troop 7

Corporal Emanuel Velez – Troop 9

Detective Michael Macauley – Headquarters

Professional Staff of the Year

The Delaware State Police Professional Staff of the Year is awarded annually to one employee whose service with the Delaware State Police has been outstanding throughout the course of that calendar year.

From the eleven nominees, Colonel Crotty and the Executive Staff selected Revered Jeffrey A. Miller, Sr. as the 2025 Professional Staff of the Year.  Reverend Miller is assigned to Troop 2 and also serves as a Chaplain for the division.

Professional Staff of the Year Nominees

Ms. Mayra Cruz-Chavez – Victim Services

Ms. Ashleigh Haines – State Bureau of Identification

Ms. Sonia Jonas – Troop 3

Mr. Barry Laise – KENTCOM

Ms. Kerry-Gene Lussier – Information Technology

Reverend Jeffrey A. Miller, Sr. – Troop 2

Ms. Heather Neeld – RECOM

Ms. Donna Newth-Showell – Troop 6

Mr. Schyler Outten – SUSCOM

Ms. Nicole Sund – Delaware Information Analysis Center

Mr. Robert Zurlo – Troop 5 Transportation

Additionally, Troopers, Professional Staff, and non-divisional members received several awards for Life Saving, Exceptional Performance, the Superintendent’s Citation, and Valor.

Congratulations to all award nominees and the recipients.  Please enjoy the award ceremony highlight video below.