Breakthru Delaware Remembers Cpl. Stephen Ballard

May 26, 2017

It was in the predawn hours of a cold, grey Sunday morning several years ago that Delaware State Police Cpl. Stephen Ballard first rolled up to the offices of Breakthru Beverage Delaware. Something had tripped an alarm inside the warehouse, and Ballard was the first on the scene. Outside the office, he met with Bob Trostel and escorted him inside to check the building for intruders. Ballard led the way.

Thankfully, there were no intruders that day, just a piece of equipment that moved unexpectedly and triggered the motion detector. But Ballard and Trostel formed a friendship that day, and soon Ballard became a friend of the entire Breakthru Delaware family. With the team’s help, Ballard spearheaded many fundraisers and other events for the State Police, with Breakthru’s assistance, creating opportunities for our team to give something back to the men and women who protect us.

Sadly, that relationship ended suddenly in the parking lot of a Wawa gas station in Bear, Del., on the afternoon of April 26 when Ballard was shot and killed during a routine traffic stop.

In the weeks that followed, much has been written about Cpl. Stephen Ballard and how his death has diminished our state. He is remembered for his devotion to Delaware, to his job, to his family and to the greater community he served. Former Vice President Biden attended his funeral, condolence cards came in from all over the state and a fund has been established to support his family.