GEORGETOWN, Del. - It was an emotional day in the Sussex County Courthouse for those who were close to the late Corporal Keith Heacook. Earlier on Monday, the trial took place for the 2021 killing of Delmar Corporal Heacook. Convicted murdered, Randon Wilkerson was found guilty on all 16 charges, which include murder, assault, and possession of multiple weapons. Wilkerson could face life in prison. Prosecutors are expecting his defense team to request an appeal.
Delmar Police Chief, Ivan Barkley emotionally told CoastTV News, “He got a better shake than my officer did."
Police body cam footage, taken moments after the Heacook's attack, was shown in the courtroom. It showed the moments when Heacook was discovered by additional responding officers and their attempts to revive him. Seeing the footage was very difficult for those who were close to Heacook.
"It's impossible not to cry when you see a human being that was at your house seven or eight days earlier than this, having oysters and hot dogs on your grill, in that kind of condition,” said Doug Marshall, a family friend of Heacook.
A fellow police officer, Sheriff Mike Lewis of the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office, shared the same sentiments.
"There's nothing we can do to bring Keith back, and to bring back all the great work he did as a Delmar police officer," Lewis told CoastTV News. "I wish we'd bring back the death penalty because this is certainly a case that screamed for the death penalty."
Wilkerson's sentencing will take place on Dec. 8 at the Sussex County Courthouse.