DELMAR, Del. - As the murder trial of the man accused of killing Delmar Corporal Keith Heacook in 2021 rapidly approaches, the impact of Heacook's unexpected death remains tangible across Delmarva today.
The trial for Delmar Corporal Keith Heacook's murder will take place Oct. 16 in a Sussex County courtroom. We revisit the investigation on what happened the morning of April 25, 2021, when the officer and a nearby elderly couple were attacked.
A tragedy felt far and wide
News of Heacook's death reached far beyond Delmar, the Little Town Too Big To Be in One State. A week after he was attacked on April 25, 2021, Heacook's body was escorted from shock trauma in Baltimore by police departments from Maryland and Delaware back home to Delmar. Hundreds if not thousands of people from Delaware, Maryland and other states lined the streets to pay their respects to the corporal and show support for his family.
Flags were lowered in Delaware and Maryland in the days following his death. Both Delaware Gov. John Carney and then-Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan spoke at his funeral.
"Corporal Keith Heacook will have the eternal gratitude of two states that will forever be in his debt," said Hogan.
"Thank you for sharing your husband, your brother, son, your father with us and for making him the kind of man willing to put his uniform on every single day to protect his neighbors and be a peacemaker..." Carney said.
Voicemails Heacook left behind for his family were also shared, showing the playful and caring aspects of his personality.
"Hi honey, I figured I'd try to call you again, and you're on the house phone, and go to a different voice message," one said. "Anywho, enjoy your day at work, have fun, work hard, earn that dollar so you can take me out somewhere. Bye!"
Memorials and aftermath
The outpouring of grief and support that sprang up across the Delmarva peninsula in the wake of the officer's killing has not wavered. Lasting acts of charity and memorials were quickly established across Delmarva.
At home, Heacook was a husband and father. He was married to his wife, Susan, for 24 years, but the couple had known each other for a decade before that.
"He was very shy and kept staring at me," Susan shared with CoastTV News in 2022. "I approached him."
"I was at work. My supervisor called me and said something happened to my husband," Susan Heacook shared with CoastTV News in 2022. "It's the hardest and most painful thing that I've ever endured."
"He loved everybody," she said. "Whenever we'd go out, he was like a movie star. There are a lot of people who know him, give him a hug. I'd say, 'who's that guy?' and he'd say 'oh, I arrested him at one time.'"
Multiple fundraisers were organized by groups like the Southern Delaware Jeep Club. There were also community nights and a softball tournament to support Heacook's family. A sort of trust fund was set up for his then-12-year-old son, Matthew.
Several people continued to place mementos and flowers on Heacook's patrol vehicle in the days following his attack.
In the days following his death, people left gifts on Heacook's patrol car outside of the Delmar police station. He had worked for the Delmar Police Department for over 20 years and was in the process of retiring to work at Salisbury University when he was killed.
Delmar's State Street park was rededicated in Heacook's name this past year. A monument to the slain officer, engraved with the words "Cpl. Keith Heacook, etched in our hearts forever," stands in the park while a bench bearing his name provides rest to people enjoying the park.
Delmar's State Street park was rededicated in Heacook's name this past year. A monument to the slain officer, engraved with the words "Cpl. Keith Heacook, etched in our hearts forever," stands in the park.
His name was also added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in May of 2022. The memorial honors police officers who have died in the line of duty.
About a month after Heacook's death, the Delmar community gathered to demand more protection for its police department and called for higher wages for police in the town's budget.
The annual Heacook Fest has been a big success the past two years to both honor the late officer and support others in law enforcement. The event's large attendance is a testament to Delmarva's backing of local police and emergency responders in the aftermath of Heacook's death. The money raised from the festival goes to Behind the Line, Operation We Care and Tunnel to Towers, which are organizations that support first responders, members of the military and their families.
"Keith Heacook's legacy is going to live on in tangible ways that most people don't understand, but in the Delmar area, we certainly understand what Keith's sacrifice meant," said community organizer Doug Marshall.
At the first Heacook Fest, the first recipient of the Corporal Keith Heacook Memorial Scholarship was awarded to a Delmar High School senior interested in pursing a career in law enforcement. Donations can be made through the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore.
Above all, Heacook is still remembered by many for his friendly and community-centered approach to his service as an officer and as a neighbor.
"Bye, love you. Mean it!" said another of his voicemails.