Delaware GOP lawmakers want the death penalty reinstated in murders of police, first responders
DOVER, Del. – A pair of Delaware lawmakers are calling for the First State to bring back the death penalty following the conviction of Randon Wilkerson, the man who brutally killed Delmar Police Corporal Keith Heacook in the line of duty.
Delaware State Reps. Danny Short and Tim Dukes plan to introduce the legislation next session, which would apply to anyone convicted of the murder of a law enforcement officer or first responder.
“We remember the life of Keith Heacook and others who have given the ultimate sacrifice here due to tragedies here, and we want to remember them,” Rep. Dukes said. “We want the criminals to pay the ultimate price for taking somebody’s life.”
The “Law Enforcement and First Responders Protection Act” – if passed – would make the death penalty eligible for any person convicted of murdering a law enforcement or public safety officer, including firefighters, corrections officers, and paramedics.
“Where are we on the victim, and where are we on the victim’s family?” Rep. Short said. “The ultimate punishment should, in my opinion, be that they suffer the same consequence.”
Republican State Reps. Short and Dukes are currently working on the bill’s language before they introduce it next session. This comes in response to the recent conviction of Randon Wilkerson – who savagely murdered Delmar Police Corporal Keith Heacook back in April of 2021. He was found guilty Monday on 16 counts, including first degree murder and over a dozen other related charges.
“We just feel likes it’s really important to address this,” Rep. Dukes stressed. “That we remember the life of Keith Heacook and what he stood for, and that way we never forget his memory.”
Rep. Short tells us law enforcement’s recruitment and retention is down across the state because of the increased risk that comes with the job.
“The general public needs to understand that this is a stressful time for our first responders, especially our police officers,” Rep. Short explained. “Seaford PD is down I think seven to nine officers, State Police in Delaware are down significantly. We’re having a hard time attracting folks to do these jobs because it’s become so dangerous.”
While Rep. Short says he would like to see the death penalty be an option for all murder convictions, he says they haven’t been able to get there and calls this a start.
“I’ve been unable to get there,” Rep. Short emphasized. “This is a start, this is the start of that discussion, for first responders, but I agree, if they want to with anyone, I totally agree with them.”
In order for the bill to pass, it will need Democratic support, likely with a super majority, meaning that two-thirds of the lawmakers voting will have to support the legislation.
“Hopefully, there will be enough people, regardless of their party,” Rep. Dukes said. “That they believe law enforcement and public safety, that their lives are valued and they’ll support it.”
Rep. Short tells us there are some Democrats that are considering supporting the legislation once it’s introduced, but it might not be enough.
“We do believe there is a couple folks in the other side of the aisle that would agree to this,” Rep. Short said. “But, I admittedly will tell ya, I think it’s gonna be an uphill battle.”
In 2016, the Delaware Supreme Court struck down Delaware’s capital punishment statute. Before that, there were 22 aggravating circumstances that, when linked to the commission of a murder, could have warranted capital punishment.
