NEWARK, Del — Thousands of Delaware residents lined up for more than a mile Saturday to pay tribute to Trooper Matthew “Ty” Snook, who was killed while working overtime at a Division of Motor Vehicles office on Dec. 23.
About 3,500 cars now display a memorial sticker on their back windshield in honor of Snook, who served with the Delaware State Police for a decade and leaves behind a wife and a 1-year-old daughter.
“I was blind sighted to be honest with you,” said Judi Enright of Newark, who arrived at 7:30 a.m. for the 9 a.m. drive-thru event and was second in line. “Who would have thought that somebody sitting behind a desk would end up like that. A trooper no less.”
Others showed up even earlier. Glen Mumley of Middletown said he left home at 4 a.m. and arrived at Troop 2 in Newark on Corporal Steven Ballard Way by 5:30.
“I just want to support the family and the state troopers,” Mumley said. “They do so much for us, and nobody appreciates it.”
The event, organized by the Blue Line Network, served as both a fundraiser for Snook’s family and a show of support for law enforcement.
“When the community comes together, and law enforcement comes together, it gives everybody time to heal,” said Darren McCarnan, co-founder of the Blue Line Network.
Robert Quirk, also a co-founder, said the turnout was overwhelming.
“I’ve been a law enforcement officer myself for 26 years and just seeing the overwhelming support of people coming out here to get this memorial sticker really makes me feel good,” Quirk said.
Snook’s funeral is scheduled for Monday at the University of Delaware, beginning at 9 a.m.
