By Glenn Rolfe

SEAFORD — Monday was the day for the long-awaited homecoming of 83-year-old Ken Tull.

With a huge escort, Mr. Tull was brought from a rehabilitation center in Dover to his home in Seaford more than 11 weeks after the Seaford Volunteer Fire Department fire police captain was struck by a vehicle and seriously injured while directing traffic at a scene Oct. 30, 2021.

“He has made significant advances,” said the department’s public information officer Ron Marvel. “He took a hit. He has come a long way.”

Mr. Tull was initially hospitalized at ChristianaCare in Newark for about two weeks. He was then transferred to the PAM Rehabilitation Hospital of Dover, where he was treated for the past two months.

Though discharged from PAM late Monday morning, he will continue rehabilitation on his road to recovery.

“He is home, to continue rehab,” Mr. Marvel said. “Those people at PAM have done an outstanding job.”

The 40-mile trip from the state capital was punctuated by a show of support from various fire services, stretching from Dover to Seaford and all points in between.

“Every stoplight was covered between Dover and Seaford. Every fire department between Dover and Seaford had somebody out on the street,” Mr. Marvel said. “We were there to meet him. There were probably 10 fire police vehicles and fire department vehicles from around Dover south that met him to escort him to (his) house in Seaford.”

Support along the way included firefighters from Dover, Camden-Wyoming, Felton, Harrington, Farmington, Greenwood, Bridgeville and Seaford.

Mr. Marvel added that Mr. Tull is in good spirits and is hoping to someday get back to doing what he loves — actively volunteering in the fire service.

“He’s talking about it,” said Mr. Marvel.

Mr. Tull, a lifetime member of SVFD, has also served as president of the Sussex County Fire Police Association and of the state fire police group.

The incident in which Mr. Tull was injured occurred at about 10:20 p.m. Oct. 30 at a crash scene at Cannon and Camp roads, just north of Seaford.

A Bridgeville man was subsequently charged by Delaware State Police with first-degree vehicular assault, driving under the influence, driving while suspended and inattentive driving.

An investigation determined that Mr. Tull was wearing a high-visibility traffic vest and was holding a lighted wand, and that his vehicle nearby had its emergency lights activated.