Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest In Peace, You will be missed.

John Doe
Civilian

May 9, 2023

Rest in peace Corporal Ballard.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 11, 2022

Met you mother today! May you rest in peace my brother

Idc.Kirk Goddard
Occoquan Police Department

December 22, 2021

I still remember that day pulling onto Route 40 after conducting a follow up from a recent call out several nights prior and seeing the numerous police cars flying 40 westbound. I could tell something big had happened and I could hear the radio traffic but I was still not sure exactly what it was that was going on or what had just happened, I only knew all units were responding to the Wawa so I proceeded there as well. I continued listening intently to the radio in the hopes that I would get some sort of understanding as to what was happening as I continued on but I still was not aware of what was transpiring. It was only when I arrived that I found out what had happened and of course nothing could have prepared me for what waited for me upon my arrival. I remember interviewing that first witness and trying to fight back that nauseating feeling and the wave emotions that would certainly overcome me much later that evening when I was alone and I allowed them to take over. I remember thinking about how many times myself and other LE stopped and investigated, followed up or just grabbed a bite at that very same Wawa. And I certainly remember thinking of your family and incredible pain and suffering that they would be going through from this point moving forward.

Ironically, one of the last times I actually saw or spoke with you was about 2.5 months earlier at one of Delaware's other incredibly dark days that year, when Lt. Floyd was killed at the Vaughn riots. Hard to believe it's been 4 years already but your memory and legacy has surely not faded nor will it ever among your law enforcement brethren and law enforcement family. I hope you're up there with some of the other incredibly brave and honorable men and women who gave it all and sacrificed for their respective states, towns cities, etc., and are watching over your fellow law enforcement.

God Speed Stephen and may God always bless and watch over your family. We may say thank you on this day but we honor and remember you every day.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

April 26, 2021

Rest easy

Mark Mottola

April 27, 2020

'It'll allow people to know about him': Street renamed to honor slain trooper
Posted on Jan. 9, 2020 Delaware News Journal

Delaware State Police Cpl. Stephen Ballard loved Halloween.

It was fitting, then, that on Oct. 31, officials voted to rename the road leading to Troop 2 in Glasgow from LaGrange Avenue to Cpl/1 Stephen J. Ballard Way.

"I chuckled when I (heard) that," Ballard's widow, Louise Cummings, told a packed room inside Troop 2 on Thursday at a ceremony to dedicate the road to the slain officer.

Cummings again chuckled when she realized the dedication ceremony was held on Jan. 9, which is National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day.

"It's such a happy and sad day, at the same time," Cummings said. "I'm inspired to have his name on the street sign hanging over Route 40, where all the tragedy happened.

Ballard, who served with Delaware State Police for about eight years, was gunned down at the Pulaski Highway (U.S. 40) Wawa in Bear on April 26, 2017, when he stopped to check on a suspicious vehicle.

The car's passenger, Burgon Sealy Jr., jumped out and began firing at Ballard, who tried to run for cover.

Sealy Jr. continued to fire rounds into the trooper before fleeing to his family’s Middletown-area home, where, following a standoff, he was shot dead by police 21 hours later.

Though the tragedy shook the state, Cummings said good came out of it, too.

Her husband's death inspired her to establish a fund that each year offers a grant to local nonprofits focused on issues such as children in need, education and domestic violence.

She also established Ballard's Reading Buddies, a program in which community members — including law enforcement officers — go into local schools and read to children.

It's an important program, Cummings said Thursday.

"These children now see a good connection (between law enforcement) and the community," she said. "They see police officers and they don't get afraid or say, 'They're here because something bad is happening.'

"They're looking at (the officers) as friends, they're looking at them as someone who is helping them learn how to read, learn how to love, and who is taking time out of their day to be with them."

Two years after state trooper's slaying, his wife encourages love and charitable giving

That's what Ballard would have wanted, Cummings said. It's also what she hopes people remember when they see the new Ballard Way sign.

Retired Police Officer
NYPD

January 9, 2020

I hope everyone will find comfort in Acts 24:15 - "And I have hope toward God, which hope these men also look forward to, that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous." Until we see our loved ones again on an earthly Paradise, please accept my condolences.

A.W. Montgomery
Concerned Citizen

August 24, 2018

I alway read up on our officers who lose so much protecting our communities to make them safe for our families and to hear how they die just sickens me. Ambushed, pulling a car over not knowing who is behind the wheel, etc. so senseless that our officers and Troopers do this job to protect and serve and get no respect. I was so upset when I watched the protest in Texas and these kids yelling out. A good cop is a dead cop. What is happening to our children that they would even make comment like that. But when they are in dire need of help who do they call to protect them from harm and the officers always show no matter what. I know GOD has a special place in heaven for these hero’s and I hope they are happy and at peace. I thank each and every officer and Trooper who protect and serve. You are hero’s no matter what and I hear from so many people in the community that we are sick and tired of our officers and Troopers being slain in the line of duty. It must STOP!!!! Stricter Laws for Cop killers. Death Penalty, no questions asked. GOD bless all of you and Thank you and I say this for so many people who respect our Law Enforcement.

Husband and grandpa Richard Strasbaugh
Non police just a supporter

April 27, 2018

From Class 429 of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department we say thank you for your service. You will forever be a hero and always will be looked up to. Our thoughts and prayers go to your family and friends.
We will do all in our power to stop this evil from happening to other LEO’s.

Deputy Sheriff Traniee
Los Angeles County Sheriff Department

February 25, 2018

Rest in Peace my bother.

I have known you since you were a teen and a Cadet in the Civil Air Patrol on Andrews AFB. You were more than just one of my cadets, you were family. You were always welcome in my house. About the only one who could show up unannounced but were still always welcome.

My biggest regret was that we could not work out our schedules and see each other while I was at the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA from Oct to Dec 2016. I know we thought it was no big deal since we planned on you and your family coming out to visit us in Hawaii this Summer. Sorry that never got to happen. You will never be forgotten.

Special Agent Edward Arias
FBI Honolulu

September 7, 2017

Miss you and Love you My brother!!! Rest In Peace ;-)

Master Corporal
Delaware State Police

September 5, 2017

My family and I would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family, friends, and fellow coworkers of Corporal Stephen Ballard during this very difficult time. May they find comfort and support from those around them. May their times spent together bring forth happy memories to last a lifetime. May God help heal their aching hearts. Thank you for your service and dedication to your community. Rest in peace Corporal Ballard.

Gail M Pabst
Aunt of fallen Detroit P.O. Jennifer Fettig eow 2/16/2004

August 19, 2017

Rest in Peace. Thank you for your service!

Public Safety - Constables
Christiana Care Health System

June 4, 2017

To the family of Corporal Stephen Ballard, friends, and the Delaware State Police.
You are lifted up in though and prayers. May God comfort, hold you close and give you peace now and always. Thank you for your service. John 15:13 / Matthew 5:9

Patrolman A.S. Batson
Cherry / O'Berry Hospital Police, NC

June 1, 2017

Rip

Miss Olivia Warren
None

May 24, 2017

REST IN PEACE

Miss Olivia Warren
Idk

May 24, 2017

Rest in peace my brother. May God bless your family for eternity.

Sgt. K Ford.
NYPD (Ret)

May 20, 2017

Cpl. Stephen Ballard I Salute you. You served our great state with dignity, courage & honor. May God bless and keep you and your loved ones wrapped in his arms for eternity. Please Rest In Peace. watch over and protect us as we take the watch from here.

M/Sgt. William Schmid
Wilmington Department of Police

May 19, 2017

Cpl. Stephen J. Ballard I salute you. You served our great state with honor, courage and dignity. May God keep you and and your loved ones wrapped in his arms for eternity. Rest easy and protect us. We have the watch from here.

M/Sgt. William Schmid
Wilmington Department of Police

May 19, 2017

You Sir are a hero just by the profession you chose. May God bless you, your family, police family and friends.

Pat Van Den Berghe
Civilian

May 18, 2017

Rip

None Vernon Fulton
None

May 15, 2017

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called sons of YHWH". Mattityahu 5:9

Rest In Peace, my brother. Thank you for your service. May GOD comfort your family and friends.

Retired Chief Jim Spratlen
Durango Police Department

May 14, 2017

Another hero taken from us all, but not taken in vain. God bless you brother and my prayers are with you and your loved ones always. Today another blue tear sheds for thee.

Crime Scene Detective/Crash Reconstructi
Springfield Police Department

May 13, 2017

Trooper Ballard, I along with the 200 other Police Unity Tour riders from Chapter 9 had the opportunity to reflect on your service today. As we handed a carnation to the representatives at Troop 2, we are humbled by your service. A service we will carry on as we ride into D.C. Thank you

Officer Eric Hansen
Menomonee Falls Wi Police / Wisconsin Riders Police Unity Tour

May 10, 2017

Prayers for Corporal Ballard's family! Another Hero lost to the acts of an evil coward! Thank you for your service sir! May you Rest In Peace!

Survivor Melanie Richardson
Lafayette county Arkansas Sheriff's Office

May 10, 2017