Corporal Stephen J. Ballard PHOTO Delaware State Police
Wilmington, DE – The funeral for a Delaware State Police (DSP) officer who was gunned down last month in the parking lot of a New Castle County convenience store will be held Friday, May 5 in Wilmington. The slain officer, Cpl. Stephen J. Ballard, 32, was shot and killed outside the WaWa in Bear, DE. The following day Ballard’s alleged assailant—identified as Burgon Sealy Jr.—was killed by police following a lengthy standoff. A motive for the killing has not been established by investigators.
Ballard was a native Marylander and graduated from Bowie High School in 2003. While growing up in Prince George’s County Ballard dreamed of a career in aviation. He was involved in the local Civil Air Patrol unit. In 2007 he graduated from Delaware State University.
According to published reports from various Delaware news services, WaWa’s 30 Delaware stores are collecting funds to aid Ballard’s family. The fund drive will continue until May 8. There are WaWa locations in Maryland that are also touting the collection by posting fliers at checkout counters.
Bear, DE – A Delaware State Police trooper was shot to death in the parking lot of a Wawa in Bear shortly after noon Wednesday, April 26 and a suspect in the officer’s killing remains barricaded in a home north of Middletown firing at officers surrounding it, said Nathaniel McQueen Jr., superintendent of the state police.The state is withholding the trooper’s name until all family notifications are made.
“This is a sad day for our state and Delaware State Police family,” McQueen said. “We ask that you keep the trooper’s family and the members of the Delaware State Police family in your prayers.”
Dozens of police have converged on a home near Middletown, where the armed suspect is barricaded alone and occasionally firing shots at officers, said a state police spokesman.