Police see change in public sentiment since shooting

America's divide between law enforcement and the community is changing, said Delaware State Police Capt. J. Sapp, and the First State's response to the death of Cpl. Stephen J. Ballard is proof of that.

Hundreds of community members and law enforcement, as well as Ballard's family, filled the Wawa parking lot Monday morning where 32-year-old Ballard was gunned down last week.

The death of the 8½-year veteran rippled through the state after Burgon Sealy Jr., 26, shot Ballard repeatedly in the parking lot before driving to his parent's home in Middletown and barricading himself inside for nearly 21 hours.

Sealy fired repeatedly at police during the standoff, according to authorities, and finally emerged armed with a weapon. His behavior prompted police to shoot him, killing him on his front lawn, police said.

"There is a loud minority in this country which for whatever their reasons, distrusts, dislikes and at times vilifies police officers and what we represent, despite the inherent nobility at the core of this profession," said Sapp, who oversees Troop 2 in Glasgow.

This loud minority, however, has been challenged by what Sapp called the "quiet majority" — seen in the contingent of community members who have flooded Troop 2 with flowers and cards; adorned the outside of the Bear Wawa with balloons and stuffed animals; and those who filled the parking lot Monday morning to stand in solidarity with Delaware State Police.

Though that group can often be drowned out by those opposed to the police, Sapp remains hopeful.

"After the last few days, I know that your voice is growing louder," he said, "and your numbers are more massive than I could have ever thought possible."

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In less than four days, Delawareans have raised $188,000 in support of Ballard's family through donations made at Wawas.

The Delaware State Police created a memorial fund to help Ballard's family through the Delaware State Police Federal Credit Union and Wawa also pledged to donate $100,000 to the memorial fund on top of customer donations.

Those wishing to donate should make checks out to the DSTA-Stephen Ballard Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 168, Cheswold, Delaware 19936.

"I have never witnessed anything that compares to what these past few days have brought to us," Sapp said. "I dare say it has changed my life."

The store, which Ballard frequented often, hung a framed photo of the Delaware State Police emblem inside to forever remember what he gave to the state. His family attended the outdoor memorial service, wiping tears from their eyes at the show of support from so many people who lauded the fallen trooper.

John Sharpless, director of store operations in Delaware, tearfully recalled Ballard walking through the doors Easter morning to pick up candy. Ballard regularly stopped in at the convenience store about 2½ miles from Troop 2, where he was stationed.

"We knew him, well," he said. "That's who the officers are to us. They're family."

Support like this is needed for the law enforcement community now more than ever, said Thomas Brackin, president of the Delaware State Troopers Association. Despite the "false narrative" often portrayed in cell phone videos and quick clips, Brackin stressed that most law enforcement – especially those in Delaware – are out to do the right thing.

And when there is misconduct, police want justice, too, he said.

"Nobody takes a harsher stance on that than law enforcement themselves," Brackin said. "Our job is to bring calm and control to chaotic situations."

Fred Calhoun, president of the state Fraternal Order of Police, said law enforcement have largely felt backed by the Delaware community through the years, but moments like these still rattle their community – especially when the deaths come in such a violent manner.

Though police have not discussed the motive behind Ballard's killing, authorities have described a deadly scene that played out in a very public manner last Wednesday.

"It's the old adage – you don't think it's going to happen to you," Calhoun said. "You don't think it's going to happen in the state of Delaware. ... It has put a lot of officers on edge and will put them on edge for the next few months, maybe even a year."

For citizens like Sharonda Hall, who used to regularly come to the Wawa at U.S. 40 and Salem Church Road, the shooting was a "senseless act."

She came to the memorial Monday morning to pay her respects to a trooper she said did all that was asked of him.

"This is insane," she said, looking at the balloons grouped outside the convenience store. "And the way it was done... it hurts."

A Celebration of Life service is slated for 11 a.m. Friday at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington. Those wishing to pay respects to his family are invited to do so from 8:30 a.m. until 10 a.m. Uniformed emergency services personnel are invited to pay their respects from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

WHAT HAPPENED: Standoff ends in Middletown; suspect in Delaware trooper death killed

COMMUNITY RESPONDS: Trooper's friends say Delaware lost a bright light

Organizations and businesses across the state have already begun paying tribute to the fallen trooper through fundraisers and other gestures. Students at Keene Elementary School, next to Troop 2, walked over from their classrooms Friday to deliver flowers and cards to Ballard's police cruiser parked out front.

"As 650 students from Keene Elementary School processed, flowers in hand, past Stephen's patrol vehicle, giving our uniformed personnel, high fives along the way, I thought to myself 'Wow, wow Stephen.' He's got to be smiling from ear to ear right now."

Sapp paused for a moment, glancing down at the lectern.

"Those 650 precious little souls represent 650 individual reasons why we do what we do, even when we're hurting."

For those unable to come to Friday's service or make a donation, Sapp said there is a much simpler way to let law enforcement know they are supported.

Slowly, Sapp twisted his fingers to form the "OK" sign and held it above his head. Ballard was born in Oklahoma, he said, and this symbol could be flashed at first responders to let them know the community not only remembered Ballard, but appreciated the work they do.

It is a small gesture, he said, but one that will be appreciated no matter the circumstance.

"Moving forward, any time you see a first responder, whether it be in Rodney Square, on the boardwalk at Rehoboth or at the State Fair this summer, take a fleeting moment to shoot them an 'OK,' " Sapp said. "You may or may not get one back, depending on what they're in the midst of, but at least they'll know you have their back, and that just as importantly, that you remember Stephen's sacrifice."

Contact Brittany Horn at (302) 324-2771 or bhorn@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter at @brittanyhorn.