By Craig Anderson

DELMAR — Temporary road closures are planned Monday as the funeral of Delmar Police Department Cpl. Keith Heacook proceeds.

Cpl. Heacook died from injuries sustained when responding to a call April 25 that led to a physical confrontation with a suspect inside a home.

Beginning at 8:45 a.m. Monday, police motorcycle officers from multiple jurisdictions will provide an escort, as the body of Cpl. Heacook is transported from Short Funeral Home in Delmar to Emmanuel Wesleyan Church, 217 Beaglin Park Drive, Salisbury, Maryland.

Closures will occur as the procession travels on Del. 54 east, turns right onto U.S. 13 south, left on East Naylor Mill Road, right on Zion Road and left on Beaglin Park Drive. The estimated arrival at Emmanuel Wesleyan Church is 9:05.

A public viewing is scheduled from 10 until noon. Attendees will be asked to adhere to COVID-19 protocols.

The service, expected to last about an hour, will begin around 12:20. The church will provide a livestream of the funeral accessible here. The livestream will also be available on Cpl. Heacook’s tribute page here.

A broadcast of the service will also be displayed on a digital billboard vehicle outside the church.

Following the funeral, Cpl. Heacook’s body will be escorted back to Short Funeral Home. The procession will begin on northbound Beaglin Park Drive, turning right on Zion Road, left on East Naylor Mill Road, right on U.S. 13 north, left on Del. 54 and right on North Pennsylvania Avenue to the funeral home.

Interment will be private.

Beginning at 4 a.m. Monday, Beaglin Park Drive between Old Ocean City Road (Md. 346) and Ocean Gateway (U.S. 50 Business) will be closed.

Electronic signs alerting the public of the funeral will be placed on Old Ocean City Road and Ocean Gateway.

Police officers will be at various intersections directing traffic into the venue.
Delaware State Police sent notice of Cpl. Heacook’s line-of-duty death nationwide, and spokesman Master Cpl. Gary Fournier said members of out-of-state law enforcement agencies beyond Delaware and Maryland are expected to attend. Also likely to take part are representatives from other first responder organizations, he said.

During the large gathering of law enforcement officers, Cpl. Fournier said, “We are still providing our full-time services throughout the state. Nothing will change regarding our coverage.”