NEWARK, Del. (KYW Newsradio) — Thousands of law enforcement officers were in attendance Monday at the celebration of life for Delaware State Police Cpl. Matthew “Ty” Snook, who was killed in the line of duty at a DMV just two days before Christmas.
Services were held at the Bob Carpenter Center on the campus of the University of Delaware in Newark. Law enforcement from the region and different parts of the country were in attendance.
A procession of officers from Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and New York escorted the hearse to the arena.
A public viewing took place from 9 a.m. to noon. A memorial service followed at 1 p.m. and lasted late into Monday evening.
There was a host of speakers, including Snook's brother, Joshua, who is also a state trooper. He spoke about how much his big brother meant to him, and how he and his family will watch over Snook’s 1-year-old daughter, Letty.
"You can leave it to us to love, protect and guide Letty the same way you did for us. Please watch over us and give us strength; everyone knows you have more than enough to go around. I love you, Ty, my idol, my best friend, my brother,” Joshua said.
Snook, 34, put his life on the line for others on Dec. 23. He had picked up an overtime shift at the DMV in New Castle County, and a suspect opened fire. Snook pushed others out of harm’s way but was fatally wounded, police said.
Snook's wife, Lauren, said her husband chose duty and responsibility and chose to stand where others could be protected.
"Ty was ambushed, Ty was shot from behind, he never had a chance to see what was coming, that truth is painful, but we will not soften it, and we will not sensationalize it because evil does not get the final word, and we can not let it win,” she said.
“You’ll hear everyone say that Ty was a good man. If you didn’t know him, I’m sorry if you didn’t. But if you did, hopefully you’ll smile when you hear how good he was,” Lauren Snook said at a recent memorial. “He was steady, he was loyal, and he was deeply loved. He lived his life with integrity and heart.”
The community has rallied around Snook’s family since his death. A fundraising effort by the Delaware State Troopers Association has brought in nearly $382,500 as of Monday night.