Delaware Police Officer Declared Clinically Dead After Responding to Fight Call

Authorities confirmed Wednesday that Delmar police officer Cpl. Keith Heacook, 54, has died following a brutal assault Sunday morning at the Yorkshire Estates community.

Keith Heacock

The attack left Heacook, who his sister said wanted to “help people” as an officer, with a significant head injury.

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The 22-year veteran of the department was found unconscious by a Delaware trooper and Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office deputy after he responded to a fight-in-progress call at about 5:12 a.m. Sunday.

Court documents state Heacook was attacked by Randon D. Wilkerson, 30. According to a witness, Wilkerson slammed his foot repeatedly on the officer’s head while he lay unconscious, police said.

Randon Wilkerson

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Wilkerson, who is accused of also assaulting an elderly couple, was charged late Sunday with attempted murder in the first degree, and two counts of first-degree assault, among other charges.

His charges will be upgraded to include murder, Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings confirmed during Wednesday’s news conference.

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Heacook was inspired to pursue a career in law enforcement when he was in a car wreck nearly 30 years ago. Police pulled him out of a ditch and flew him to Christiana Hospital, where doctors gave him a 50-50 chance of surviving at the time. He had also been placed on a ventilator following that incident.

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