How did the Wilmington, Delaware Police Chief Handle a Heckler?

The blaze from the tiny candles on the pavement illuminated the pink and blue fur of the stuffed bears. The lights from the candles danced next to the home where Khadija Coving and Frawley Duncan had been shot down in the streets of Wilmington, Delaware.

Police tape outlined the location where the double homicide took place. Light also flickered from the police cruisers surrounding the area. The family members of the fallen had returned from work and summer school that July day in 2019.

Detective Ross Harrell remembered the entire case vividly, sitting in his cruiser in Wilmington in 2021, Detective Ross Harrell recounted the case.

“Blood trickled down the steps and onto the street. My officers did their best to keep the family at bay so they would not have to see the carnage,” he related as he turned and brought the vehicle to a stop in front of the site of the murders.

“It happened right here. We had a range of emotions. Some people were talking softly, I guess praying. Some conversed with each other. One woman was irate. It was difficult to control her, but my officers kept their wits about them; they were well-trained in how to console victims’ families.”

Harrell exited the vehicle. The bright sunny day contrasted with his memory of the dark night that had residents shaking their heads, and swatting their hands at the police to show their disapproval.

“A lot of people had a negative view of us then. They said, ‘it will never get better.’ The entirety of the case proved to be more positive, as positive as it could be. We captured the suspect in less than three days on his way to New Jersey. Davon Doyle got one hundred years for both murders. But on that night, you couldn’t tell that one woman anything. Myrtle Monson fumed. Police Chief Daniel Gilligan began his address or at least tried. Monson yelled obscenities and claimed, ‘The police won't do s—t!,’” Harrell said to the Daily Delaware. “The chief just motioned for his officers to detain her.”

“She had to be carted off and detained until she calmed down, but who could blame her. We are just as frustrated with all of these killings as the people of Wilmington. The call of the streets seems alluring but it often turns out to be a nightmare. It affects people not even caught in it. Khadija had been a supervisor at the local coffee shop and newsstand. Frawley worked at a burger joint as a shift manager. They just happened to be caught in the crossfire.” Harrell started the vehicle and sped away from the scene.

“Miss Monson was later released with no charges attached to her name. She was just airing what other people were thinking. Hell, we question ourselves about how we deal with this insanity. We processed this case like we’ve been for at least my fourteen years on the force.”

Detective Harrell brought his hand to his head. “I have to hand it to Chief Gilligan. He was so cool and kept his composure throughout the presser. My hat’s off to him,” Harrell said.

“I don’t know what I would’ve done with what he had to deal with that day. I remember thinking to myself, ‘this is why you’re not the chief, Harrell.’” It was the first time he chuckled. The dry laugh rumbled in his throat low and airy.

“No, I’m alright as a lieutenant right now. Maybe one day I’ll take the leap but the chief usually has to contend with most of the criticism we get as cops. It’s something embedded in the culture. Whoever is at the top has to be devoured. Heavy is the head….”

He pulled into the station and turned off the engine.