64- CAPE , Friday, May 2 - May 8, 2003
Det. Keith Marvel of the Delaware State Police Ham/tide Unit was named
2002 Trooper of the Year for his myriad of accomplishments relating to homi
cide investigations that resulted in convictions, as well as his work solving
cold cases. Shown during the April 25 awards presentation are (l-r) Superin-
tendent L. Aaron Chaffinch, Gay. Ruth Ann I#Anner, mrvel, Lt. Gay. John Car-
ney and Department of Public Safety Secretary James I Ford.
Kern/KmW photos
The Delaware State Police honored flive c/v/lians and numerous troopers
for/heir contributions to the state's citizens, during an awards ceremony,
April 25, at the Dover Downs Convention Center. Local troopers and com-
manding officers shown are (l-r) CpL Robert Truitt of Troop 5, Exceptional
Performance Aw,d; Lt. Mark Rust, Troop 5 deputy commander;, Trooper
Lance P. Skinner of Troop 4, Exceptional Performance Award;'CpL Stephen
M/tchell of Troop 4, Superintendent's Citation; Capt.'Greg Nolt, TroOp 7 com-
mander;, CpL Rusty Parker of Troop 7, Exceptional Performance Award; 8gt.
Robert Hudson, Lifesaving Award; and LL Bruce VonGoerres, Troop 4 deputy
commander.
Marvel named Trooper of the Year
- By Kerry Kester
The Delaware State Police top
administrators selected a Sussex
County man for the division's
highest honor: Trooper. of the.
Year. Det. Keith Marvel, a 15-
year-veteran who is assigned to
the Homicide Unit, has many
times provided the Attorney Gen-
eral's Office with the evidence
that led to heinous murderers be-
ing convicted and sent to jail.
The quiet, unassuming man is
known for his meticulous atten-
lion to detail, continuing his edu-
cation in the latest forensic evi-
dence techniques and his willing-
ness to tackle challenges such as
cold cases.
"He has examined 70 homicide
scenes and has been the lead crim-
inalistics officer on over 50 homi-
cide investigations," said Superin-
tendent Col. L. Aaron Chaffinch.
"During the year 2002, this troop-
er was able to manage a tremen-
dous caseload.
"Not only was Det. Marvel the
full-time criminalistics officer and
supervisor, he also accepted the
additional responsibility of being
the lead investigator on the
Sproates/Charbonneau investiga-
tion," said Chaffinch. Willie
Brown pleaded guilty, April 24, to
murdering John Charbonneau and
William H. Sproates III in Sep-
tember 2001.
The murder is allegedly a con-
spiracy involving Brown's wife,
Melissa Rucinski, and Charbon-
neau's wife, Linda Charbonneau.
Brown will be sentenced after the
women's trials. "This was a com-
plex and long-term investigation,
which required his attention
throughout the courseof the year,"
said Chaffinch.
"The Delaware State Police
Homicide Unit enjoys a respected
reputation and had a clearance rate
of 91 percent for new cases during
2002, which is well above the na-
tional average. Many strengths or
weaknesses of every criminal case
revolve around physical evidence.
How well the evidence was docu-
mented, collected, preserved and
analyzed is always challenged at
the time of trial. The success of
the Homicide Unit is due in large
part to the professionalism, com-
passion, motivation, versat!lity,
attention to detail and dedication
displayed by Det. Marvel."
The Charbonneau/Sproates in-
vestigation was Marvel's first
time as lead investigator on an ac-
tive homicide case. "I was not
prepared for the tremendous
Continued on page 65
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