Fallen trooper’s widow, brother speak out at candlelight vigil honoring Delaware State Police Cpl. Matthew “Ty” Snook
HOCKESSIN, Del. (WPVI) — Hundreds of people braved bitter wind and cold to gather Monday night for a candlelight vigil honoring Corporal Matthew Tyler “Ty” Snook, whose death has shaken communities across Delaware.
For the first time since the shooting, members of Snook’s family spoke publicly about the support they have received.
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Blue lights filled the crowd outside the Hockessin Police Athletic League Center as attendees stood shoulder to shoulder in silence.
Family and friends embraced on stage, remembering Snook, who was working an overtime shift at the DMV in Minquadale on Dec. 23 when he was shot and killed. He leaves behind a 1-year-old daughter.
WATCH FULL: Vigil held for fallen Delaware State Police trooper
Vigil held for fallen Delaware State Police trooper
“He lived his life with integrity and heart, and that’s how we choose to remember him here tonight,” said his widow, Lauren Snook. “You’ll hear everyone say that ‘Ty was a good man’ if you didn’t know him. And I’m sorry if you didn’t. But if you did, hopefully you smile when you hear how good he was.”
Both Lauren and Snook’s younger brother, Josh, thanked the crowd for the outpouring of support in recent days.
“From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you all,” Josh Snook said. “To honor the legacy of Ty, always remember to help the next man in line.”
Corporal Grade One Matthew T. “Ty” Snook
Delaware State Police
“The most important legacy and the thing we should never forget is that beautiful little girl at home – the one that under these dire circumstances I’ve gotten to see daily,” Captain Kerry Reinbold, Snook’s troop commander, said. “All I can promise you, Lauren, is that she’s going to have the biggest cheering section of any little girl for the rest of her life.”
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The loss has reverberated throughout Delaware. Stephanie Misetic of Wilmington said the tragedy struck a personal chord.
“My dad was cop, so this stuff definitely hit home because everyone in the department, whether it’s, whatever county, whatever department, we’re all family,” she said.
Another attendee, Tina Jezyk of Wilmington, said it feels as if everyone knows someone who knew him or his wife.
“My heart goes out to his young wife and his daughter. It just shouldn’t have happened. It shouldn’t have happened at all.”
The vigil was organized by Thomasine Bianchi, who did not know the Snook family but felt compelled to act.
“It’s completely tragic. I mean, the way that it happened,” she said. “It was an extra shift. Like, he just really wasn’t supposed to be there.”
Authorities have identified the suspect as 44-year-old Rahman Rose. While questions remain about a possible motive, the focus of the night remained on honoring Snook’s life and supporting his family.
There will also be a celebration of life for Snook at the University of Delaware’s Bob Carpenter Center in Newark on Monday, Jan. 5.
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