Troopers To Honor Cpl. LeRoy LeKites

Location: US 113 northbound, approximately two miles north of Selbyville, DE

Date of Occurrence: Thursday May 3, 2012 at 1:00 p.m.

Resume:
Selbyville, DE- On Thursday May 3, 2012, Troopers will converge upon US 113 northbound approximately two miles north of Selbyville, to pay tribute to Corporal LeRoy L. LeKites who was tragically killed in the line of duty on January 13, 1950. With the help of Delaware Department of Transportation, a memorial sign was erected at the location of the fatal crash scene honoring Cpl. LeKites.

Commuters should be made aware there will be lane restrictions in that area from 12:30 p.m. until approximately 1:30 p.m.

LeRoy L. LeKites
1914-1950
On January 13, 1950, a 31 year old Delaware State Trooper was killed instantly just north of Selbyville, Delaware as he assisted a second trooper who was investigating an accident. Corporal LeRoy LeKites of Georgetown was struck as he attempted to flag down a vehicle which was approaching “at a very high rate of speed.” Roy LeKites, a six year veteran, was pronounced dead upon his arrival at the hospital. Funeral services for Corporal LeKites were held at the Salem Methodist church in Selbyville on January 17, 1950. Burial took place at the Roxanna Cemetery and was attended by troopers from Delaware and Maryland. Also in attendance was a large group of faculty and students from the Selbyville schools as a tribute to Corporal LeKites and to console Margaret LeKites, who was one of their own. Corporal LeKites was survived by his wife, Margaret, two sons, Wilson and LeRoy Jr., and his parents. At the time of the tragedy, Margaret paid tribute to her husband and the Delaware State Police with the enclosed missive. (letter: I want you to know how very much I appreciate everything you and the Delaware State Police have done. I’m proud that Leroy was a Trooper and I’m so glad that he had those happy 6 years as one of such a wonderful group of men. The men’s closeness and loyalty to one another is most remarkable. I was so proud that they could be at Roy’s funeral. Sincerely yours, Mrs. LeRoy LeKites and the boys.)