The Delaware State Police and the entire Wilmington community are mourning the sudden and tragic loss of Corporal Matthew “Ty” Snook, who was killed in the line of duty on December 23, 2025, during an unprovoked ambush at the Wilmington Division of Motor Vehicles. Corporal Snook, a ten-year veteran of the agency, was performing routine duties at the facility when an armed suspect entered and opened fire without warning.
In the critical moments that followed, he acted with extraordinary bravery, engaging the threat and placing himself between the danger and innocent civilians, including employees and members of the public present at the location. His selfless actions saved lives, even as he sustained fatal injuries in the exchange of gunfire. Emergency medical personnel responded swiftly, but despite their efforts, Corporal Snook was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Matthew Snook joined the Delaware State Police in 2015 and quickly earned a reputation for professionalism, compassion, and quiet leadership. Over the course of his decade-long career, he served with distinction in various assignments, consistently demonstrating the highest standards of integrity and dedication to public service.
Colleagues often described him as steady and dependable, the kind of officer others naturally looked to in difficult situations. His calm demeanor and genuine concern for the well-being of others made him not only a respected law enforcement professional but also a trusted member of the communities he served. His commitment to duty was matched only by the respect he showed toward every individual he encountered, regardless of the circumstances.
Beyond the uniform, Matthew was a devoted husband and a loving father whose family remained the true center of his world. He cherished his wife, with whom he shared a deep and supportive partnership, and delighted in the everyday joys of raising their one-year-old daughter. The simple moments—watching her first steps, reading bedtime stories, and building a home filled with laughter—brought him the greatest fulfillment. In an often demanding profession, he found balance and purpose in the warmth and love of his young family, carrying that strength into every shift he worked.
The loss of Corporal Snook has reverberated far beyond the walls of the Wilmington DMV, touching law enforcement agencies across the state and residents who valued the quiet courage he represented. Tributes from fellow officers highlight his unwavering integrity and the example he set for younger troopers entering the profession. His death serves as a stark reminder of the risks inherent in protecting the public, yet also as a testament to the selflessness that defines those who choose this calling.
As Delaware mourns one of its own, the community gathers in shared grief and gratitude for a man who gave everything in service to others. Corporal Snook’s actions in those final moments embodied the very essence of sacrifice, ensuring that the safety of those around him remained his priority until the end. His legacy endures in the lives he protected and the example he left behind.