Delaware State Police celebrate a 100 year legacy with a Centennial Tribute
DOVER, Del., – Lawmakers and law enforcement were celebrating at Legislative Hall for a Centennial Tribute of Delaware State Police on Friday, April 28th.
100 years ago on April 28, 1923, Delaware State Police were born by legislation passed by the general assembly
In 1969, the first black trooper was hired and in 1975, the force welcomed its first female trooper. Now, the force is over a thousand strong, sworn and unsworn.
The current Secretary of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Nathaniel McQueen, Jr., is a former trooper and Colonel of DSP. He was proud to speak on the legacy of DSP and all the troopers representing the agency.
“Today is a great day, to be a trooper and a member of the DSP family and to be a part of a proud legacy of the agency,” McQueen said.
The Governor of Delaware, John Carney, says the reputation and honor of DSP should be a standard amongst police. A lot has changed for Delaware State Police over the last hundred years. When they started, only 4 troopers were on patrol, along with a few canines and motorcycles.
“One thing hasn’t changed, and I have grown to appreciate that more than ever as your governor, and that’s the value, the sense of service and the character of the Delaware State Police,” Gov. Carney.
Senior US Senator Tom Carper of Delaware says, without Delaware State Police, no other commodities in life would be guaranteed.
“If we didn’t have rule of law in this state, we wouldn’t have anything,” Sen. Carper said. “It’s what they say about integrity, integrity if you have it nothing else matters, and integrity if you don’t have it nothing else matters.”
U.S. Sen. Carper said that he wanted to thank all the families, thank them for sharing their husbands, their wives, their sons, daughters, their children with all of Delaware, and for making the diamond state a wonderful state to live and raise a family.
It was a special moment for Delaware State Police Superintendent Colonel Melissa Zebley, the first female to reach the ranks of Major, Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel, first female director of public information and first female in charge of the honor guard unit. She was joined by seven former colonels, with service dating back to 1953.
“I am proud to reflect on the heart that beats behind the badge of every uniform worn,” Superintendent Colonel Zebley said.
Next Wednesday, May 3rd, Delawareans can remember and pay their respects to the 23 heroes who fell in the line of duty at the annual Delaware State Memorial.
