By Greg Bassett

SALISBURY, Md. — Delmar Police Cpl. Keith Heacook was celebrated in a funeral service Monday that was attended by the governors of two states and hundreds of law enforcement officers and officials from across the region.

The 22-year Delmar Police Department veteran was remembered for his heroism in the line of duty, his devotion as a friend and family member and his determination to always be there for anyone in need.

Hundreds of law enforcement officers from Delaware, Maryland and other states, as well as members of the Sussex and Wicomico county communities, gathered for the funeral of the officer.

Cpl. Heacook’s body was transported in a police escort from Short Funeral Home in Delmar to Emmanuel Wesleyan Church in east Salisbury. 

As scores gathered in the church's parking lot, a screen was set up to broadcast the service to those outside. 

Cpl. Heacook was attacked while responding to a call on the Delaware side of Delmar in the early-morning hours of April 25. He was declared dead three days later, and his alleged attacker is facing a list of charges, including murder.

Addressing an overflow crowd at the church, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan called Cpl. Heacook a true hero whose service must always be remembered.

“Keith spent more than two decades serving and protecting others, and he brought honor to his badge each and every day,” Gov. Hogan said.

“As I look out at all of you in uniform, I know that each and every one of you selflessly places yourself in harm’s way and that you do so willingly and bravely, so that our communities can be better and safer places.”

Added Gov. Hogan: “The heinous crime and the unspeakable tragedy that followed is a reminder of what our men and women in blue face every day. Two states are grieving the loss of one of our true heroes.”

Gov. Hogan also touched on Cpl. Heacook’s alluring personal side, which was repeatedly praised by other speakers at the service.

“Those who knew him best say his incredible work ethic was only surpassed by his immense love for his family,” Gov. Hogan said.

In his address, Delaware Gov. John Carney cited Delmar’s motto, “The little town too big for one state,” as a means of measuring the community response to the corporal's passing.

“The town lived up to its motto the last two weeks. The heart of Delmar is certainly too big for one state.

“I can assure (you), the heart of every Delawarean is heavy in solidarity with all of you,” Gov. Carney said.

Gov. Carney recalled the May 2 police escort that transported Cpl. Heacook’s body from Baltimore to Delmar.

“It was incredible to see the whole town of Delmar and thousands of residents across Sussex County come out in droves to support Cpl. Heacook and his family. It made it very clear to me that police officers mean everything to this community and (these) states,” he said.

The Delaware chief executive recalled seeing a woman holding a sign that said, “Blessed are the peacemakers."

"She was talking about Cpl. Heacook and all of his brothers and sisters in blue and brown," he said. "That’s what they are — they try to bring order to chaos and peace to scenes of violence and destruction."

Gov. Carney said that was what Cpl. Heacook was doing the morning he was attacked — “running toward danger” in an effort to bring peace and prevent violence.

Larry Schwartz, a Heacook cousin and retired police officer, told those assembled that the public gestures which the officer’s family had received were of great comfort. He thanked the community and the officers assembled for their respect and effort.

However, Schwartz also wondered aloud why the Delmar Police Department did not have an officer available to back up Heacook, who had to enter the scene alone.

“Cpl. Heacook did not have a backup. He didn’t have a backup —he had a dispatcher who checked on him. With no response, they started sending help. I can’t imagine the feelings running through the minds of the dispatchers and the other officers responding,” Schwartz said.

“When they arrived, they found their worst fear, they had to find the actor — that’s the bad guy — they had to save their brother, everyone did their best.

“To all those first responders who tried to help Keith, our family thanks you from the bottom of our hearts.”

Schwartz also took issue with the media, speculating that if Heacook had shot the unarmed assailant, the tragedy would have been portrayed as a white officer killing an unarmed black man, thereby gaining national attention and triggering an eruption of unjustified scrutiny on Heacook.

“Keith’s life would have been put under a microscope, as it’s easy for folks who have no idea about police work,” Schwartz said. “His family would have been shunned. Even when Keith was cleared, that does not generate enough news for any real broadcast. Off the media goes to the next story.

“The damage you left behind with no consequences except for the family — but at least we would have Keith,” he said.

Schwartz called on Delmar elected leaders and Police Chief Ivan Barkley “to make changes so this doesn’t happen again.”

“Chief Barkley, sir: You are the leader. This is the time for your voice to be heard. I heard your newscast where you said you needed more manpower. Chief, stand up and fight for your officers. Don’t be silent,” Schwartz said.

The audience, comprised mostly of officers and law enforcement families, had remained silent through the service, but Schwart’s final words elicited a response.

Schwartz called on leaders at all government levels to do more to ease the tensions between officers and the people they serve.

“FYI,” Schwartz said. “You know who hates bad police officers the most? The good cops who are out there doing the job every day of the week.”

His comment generated sustained applause.

Schwartz received a standing ovation when he concluded, by saying: “Good change can come from this — let it happen. Rest in peace, cousin. Your brothers and sisters in law enforcement will take it from here with you in their hearts.”

Hundreds of law enforcement vehicles were part of an escort that carried Cpl. Heacook’s body Monday morning from Delmar to the Salisbury church.

At the funeral’s conclusion, Cpl. Heacook’s body was transported back to Short Funeral Home in Delmar. Interment will be private.

A public viewing began at 10 a.m., and the funeral service commenced just after 12:20 p.m.

The Rev. Chris LaBarge of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Salisbury led the services.

In his remarks, the Rev. LaBarge praised Cpl. Heacook’s “diligent work ethic” and “contagious smile.”

“Keith was happiest when he was making memories with family and friends,” the Rev. LaBarge said. “By remembering that, we can push back the emptiness we feel at this moment.”

From noon to 12:20 p.m., hundreds of law enforcement officers — their hats in their hands — filed past the flag-draped casket flanked by two Delmar police officers.

A line of wreaths celebrating law enforcement and mourning Cpl. Heacook’s loss was displayed. A large black-and-white photo of Cpl. Heacook walking hand-in-hand with his young son, Matthew, 12, was also on display.

Cpl. Heacook was pronounced clinically dead April 28 of massive head injuries he sustained in a physical altercation during a domestic police call in Delmar.

Randon D. Wilkerson, 30, of Salisbury, was arrested shortly after the attacks and was initially charged with attempted murder, assault, burglary, possession of a deadly weapon while committing a felony and terroristic threatening.

Charges against Mr. Wilkerson will be upgraded to include murder, Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings said.

Cpl. Heacook was born Dec. 7, 1966, in Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, the youngest of seven children. He graduated in 1986 from Cape Henlopen High School and Sussex Technical High School. He earned a degree in criminal justice from Delaware Technical Community College in Georgetown.

A graduate of the Eastern Shore Criminal Justice Academy at Wor-Wic Community College, Cpl. Heacook is the first graduate of that program lost in the line of duty.

The first four years of Cpl. Heacook's career in law enforcement began at the Wicomico County Detention Center. He joined the Delmar Police Department in 1998.

When not protecting the people of Delmar, he worked as an accomplished carpenter.

He enjoyed riding his motorcycle and was a member of the Blue Knights Motorcycle Club.

The officer is survived by his wife, Susan M. Heacook; his son, Matthew D. Heacook; his stepchildren, Michelle M. Colander, Clint M. Baker and Chuck M. Baker; his mother, Anita C. Heacook; his sisters, Maryalice Heacook Berrios, Anita Heacook Feaster and Kathleen Heacook; and a brother, Thomas Heacook. 

He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph B. Heacook Sr.; a brother, Joseph B. Heacook Jr.; and a sister, Bethann Heacook.

Cpl. Heacook’s body was returned to Delmar from Baltimore in a police escort May 2, and a ceremony was held at the town’s police station. Doctors in Baltimore successfully removed the officer's organs, which will be used by as many as eight people in medical need.

This story will be updated.