🦅 SAD NEWS: Patriots Nation Mourns the Heroic Sacrifice of Officer Matthew T. “Ty” Snook
Patriots Nation is joining Delaware and the wider NFL community in mourning the devastating loss of Officer Matthew T. “Ty” Snook, a Delaware State Police trooper who was killed while bravely stopping an armed suspect during a violent shooting at a Wilmington-area DMV.
Authorities confirmed the tragic incident unfolded Tuesday afternoon at the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles facility in New Castle County, when a 44-year-old suspect opened fire inside the building without warning. Corporal Grade One Matthew T. “Ty” Snook, a 10-year veteran of the Delaware State Police, was working an overtime shift at the reception desk when the gunman approached.
Despite being shot, officials say Snook acted with extraordinary courage. In his final moments, he pushed a DMV employee out of harm’s way, shielding others from the attacker before the suspect fired again. Moments later, a responding New Castle County police officer confronted the gunman and fatally shot him, bringing the incident to an end.
Snook, just 34 years old, died from his injuries. He is survived by his wife and their one-year-old daughter, a detail that has deeply shaken communities far beyond Delaware.
State police described Snook as a dependable, professional, and deeply committed public servant. A Delaware native, he graduated from Saint Mark’s High School and later attended the University of Maryland, where he competed as a wrestler. Colleagues remembered him as a trusted partner and a steady presence who embodied courage, discipline, and service.
Inside the DMV, witnesses described scenes of chaos as gunshots echoed through the building. Families dropped to the floor, people crawled toward exits, and personal belongings were left scattered as panic swept through the waiting area. Several minor injuries were reported during the escape, though no additional gunshot victims were identified.
Delaware State Police Superintendent Colonel William Crotty praised Snook’s actions, calling him a hero whose final moments were defined by selflessness. Governor Matt Meyer echoed those words, saying the state had lost “a brother, a son, a husband, and a father,” and emphasized that Snook’s bravery saved lives.
As news of the tragedy spread, an outpouring of support followed — including a powerful and deeply personal gesture from New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye.
According to sources close to the situation, Drake Maye was profoundly moved after learning about Officer Snook’s sacrifice and the young family he left behind. Acting quietly and without seeking publicity, Maye personally visited Snook’s family and donated $200,000 to help support them through this unimaginable loss.
The donation was described as an act of compassion and respect — a reminder that leadership and character extend far beyond the football field. Patriots fans across social media praised Maye not only as the face of the franchise, but as a young leader who showed empathy and humanity in a moment of profound grief.
Flowers continue to be laid outside the DMV facility as officers stand watch in solemn tribute. A quiet procession accompanied Snook’s body from Christiana Hospital to the medical examiner’s office, with fellow troopers saluting a fallen brother.
Matthew T. “Ty” Snook is being remembered not only for how he served, but for how he put others first when it mattered most.
In Patriots Nation and beyond, his legacy stands as a powerful reminder of courage, sacrifice, and the true meaning of service.
Rest in peace, Officer Snook. 🖤
