Murder charges added in death of Delmar officer

By Craig Anderson
Posted 6/15/21

DELMAR — A Salisbury, Maryland man has been charged with murder in connection with the death of Cpl. Keith Heacook of the Delmar Police Department.

Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings …

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Murder charges added in death of Delmar officer

Posted
DELMAR - A Salisbury, Maryland man has been indicted on a murder charge in connection with the death of Cpl. Keith Heacook of the Delmar Police Department.

Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced Tuesday that Randon Wilkerson will face two counts each of first-degree murder and possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony, and 11 other crimes, including multiple counts of first-degree assault. Cpl. Heacook and a couple were assaulted during an incident on April 25, AG Jennings said.

Charges against Mr. Wilkerson, 30 years old when arrested, were upgraded when Cpl. Heacook succumbed to his injuries three days after the assault, a Department of Justice news release said.

“The Heacook family, the town of Delmar, and the law enforcement community have been living through a nightmare since April 25th,” said AG Jennings in a statement.

“Keith Heacook was murdered in service to his community, responding to the call of a person who needed help. We can never truly fill the void that he left behind; but we must honor his sacrifice by seeking justice.

“I’m grateful to the grand jurors who helped ensure that Cpl. Heacook’s killer will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Mr. Wilkerson could face a life sentence if convicted, AG Jennings said. He remains in custody at James T. Vaughn Correctional Center near Smyrna, according to Delaware VINELink.

According to Delaware State Police in April, Cpl. Heacook was injured during an alleged physical confrontation with Mr. Wilkerson inside a residence in the 11000 block of Buckingham Drive in the Yorkshire Estates neighborhood. He was responding to a 911 call of a fight in progress at approximately 5:12 a.m., authorities said.

Shortly after the initial call, police said, another 911 call was received from a neighbor across the street reporting that he and his wife had been assaulted by a man. The man was no longer at the home, the caller said. DSP said the occupants, a 73-year-old man and 76-year-old woman, sustained significant injuries and were transported to area hospitals by ambulance.

Cpl. Heacook was found unconscious inside the home by responding law enforcement officers dispatched to the scene. Dispatchers had checked on Cpl. Heacook but received no response, DSP said.

Authorities said Mr. Wilkerson was found walking in the back of the property where the first 911 call came from and taken into custody without incident.

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