A Delmar Police officer is fighting for his life after being found unconscious inside a home he responded to on a domestic violence call early Sunday morning.
DELMAR (DE) BY DIGITAL STAFF: A Delmar police officer is in critical condition after being found by other officers who were sent to check on him, after the officer went silent on the radio with dispatchers while on a domestic violence call early Sunday morning.
Delaware State police is investigating the incident and say the suspect, before fleeing the scene, assaulted the officer and stomped about his head several times.
It all happened in the early morning hours on Sunday April 25, 2021 when an officer with the Delmar Police Department was dispatched to the 11000 block of Buckingham Drive in the Yorkshire Estates Community for a report of a fight in progress.
The 9-1-1 caller reported one of the occupants, who was later identified as Randon Wilkerson, was being disorderly, fighting with other residents of the house, and destroying items inside the residence. Moments later, a separate 9-1-1 call was received from a neighbor across the street from the original caller, stating he and his wife had been assaulted by a male subject. The caller then stated the assailant was no longer at his house.
According to Delaware State Police, Corporal Keith Heacook was dispatched to the scene to investigate but when he arrived, he was met with a physical confrontation with the suspect inside the home just after 5:00 a.m.
When Heacock wouldn’t respond to dispatchers with a status report, additional officers were dispatched and a Wicomico County Sheriffs Office Deputy and a Delaware State Trooper arrived on scene to find Cpl. Heacook unconscious inside the residence.
“Officers from Laurel Police Department arrived on scene, and upon pulling Cpl. Heacook from the house, began First Aid until Emergency Medical Services (EMS) arrived. Cpl. Heacook was transported to TidalHeath in Salisbury and then given a police escort to Shock Trauma in Baltimore with significant head injuries.”
Police say after assaulting Heacock, the suspect, later identified as 30-year-old Randon D. Wilkerson, then went across to the street to an elderly couples home and knocked on the back door of the residence. The door was opened by a 73-Year-Old male resident, who was then assaulted by the suspect about the head with a glass object. Police say Wilkerson then repeatedly assaulted a 76-year-old female with the same object before fleeing the house.
Both of those victims sustained significant injury and were transported by ambulance to area hospitals. The female victim was later transported to Shock Trauma in Baltimore.
Meanwhile, as police continued investigating the crime scene, the suspect was observed by allied police agencies walking on the rear of the property where Heacock was assaulted, and was taken into custody without incident.
Wilkerson was transported to Troop 5 in Bridgeville and charged with Attempted Murder 1st, Assault 1st (2 counts), Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony (2 counts), Burglary 1st, Assault 3rd, and Terroristic Threatening. He was later arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 3 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $451,000.00 cash bond.
Gary Fournier, a Delaware State Police spokesman said his agency is continuing the investigation into both events and is working collaboratively with the Delmar Police Department, Wicomico County Sheriffs Office, Maryland State Police, and all other involved agencies.
There were multiple people in the house that were taken into custody upon the arrival of additional units from the allied police agencies however, it is unknown if any of those taken into custody were charged.
Chief Ivan Barkley of Delmar Police Department said in a statement that Keith is fighting for his life right now and he needs your prayers along with the elderly couple who were also injured.
“Corporal Keith Heacook is a 22 year veteran and has been employed with our department since 1998.” said Chief Ivan Barkley of Delmar Police Department, “He is a husband, son, brother, and father. Keith is fighting for his life right now and he needs your prayers along with the elderly couple who were also injured. Members from the Delmar Police appreciate the outpouring of community support as we continue to move forward. We appreciate the support from the Delaware State Police, Wicomico County Sheriffs Office, Maryland State Police, and all other agencies who responded and are assisting with this investigation.”
Delaware Attorney Kathy jennings responded to the attacks saying, these are the moments we all pray will never come.
“My heart is heavy tonight for three innocent victims: Cpl. Keith Heacook of the Delmar Police Department, who is being treated for grave injuries he suffered in an attack this morning, and an elderly couple who also suffered severe injuries at the hands of the same attacker.
DOJ personnel have been onsite in Delmar since this morning’s attack and are working with Delaware State and Delmar Police to ensure a successful prosecution. We will continue to monitor both the investigation itself and — with hope in our hearts — the condition of Cpl. Heacook and both civilian victims.
These are the moments we all pray will never come. For the law enforcement community, the Town of Delmar, and the rest of our state, today is a bitter reminder of the daily danger our police officers willingly face so the rest of us don’t have to. We are praying for the victims and their families; tomorrow, and in the coming days, we’ll all work together to ensure that their attacker is brought to justice.”
The Humane Society of Wicomico County has set up a Go Fund me page for the two elderly victims, Steve and Judy Franklin, who are big volunteers at their facility.
Although, the society opened a bank account named “The Community” at Bank of Delmarva for Cpl Heacock and his family, there has been concern regarding their use of Go Fund Me as a platform to raise money for their family.
The society responded by saying “As a non-profit, the Humane Society of Wicomico County uses Go Fund Me Charity. The only fees that are charged are the standard credit card processing fees. The rest will go directly toward any medical bills, supplies for their dogs, and anything else their family needs. We want to make this fundraiser as simple as possible for those wanting to contribute.”
On Sunday night, hundreds showed up at a vigil for the officer at the Delmar Police Department and as of Monday morning, the society has raised over $12,000. That’s $2,000. greater than the actual $10,000 goal. You can learn more about donating to help the victims here
