A new scholarship fund at the Delaware Community Foundation will honor the memory of Cpl. Stephen Ballard, a Delaware State Trooper who was killed in the line of duty in April.
On April 26, the state of Delaware and law enforcement community suffered a tremendous loss.
Ballard, an eight-year veteran of the Delaware State Police, was shot and killed while investigating a suspicious vehicle at a Bear-area Wawa. In response to his tragic death and years of service, the Delaware Community Foundation is pleased to announce a scholarship fund in his honor.
The Corporal Stephen Ballard Memorial Scholarship Fund, established with a $100,000 gift from an anonymous couple, is an endowed fund that will generate a perpetual stream of charitable dollars. The fund will provide an annual $5,000 scholarship for a student majoring in criminal justice at Delaware State University, the same program Ballard graduated from in 2007.
Starting next year, the DCF scholarship committee will solicit and evaluate applicants and award the scholarship to a student entering his or her junior or senior year, with preference given to applicants with financial need and those planning to work in Delaware law enforcement after graduation.
A statement released by the donors says, “We had never met Cpl. Stephen Ballard, but learned of his compassionate and noble nature after his passing. It is our sincere hope that others who are following his path may be guided by a similar passion to unify and protect communities.
This scholarship is offered to encourage and support individuals who strive to continue lighting the path toward strong but compassionate justice such as that which Cpl. Ballard embodied.”
“For generous people who are concerned about education, establishing a scholarship fund is a great way to expand access for multiple generations,” DCF President and CEO Stuart Comstock-Gay said. “It creates opportunities where there were none before, and offers a chance to build upon past successes. We’re proud to help these donors honor Cpl. Ballard in such a meaningful way.”
