A Delaware police officer was seriously injured early Sunday morning when he responded to a call about a fight in progress at a home in the Yorkshire Estates community of Delmar.

Cpl Keith Heacook didn’t respond to dispatchers after arriving on the scene shortly after 5 a.m. The dispatchers sent more officers to the address, and a Wicomico County Sheriff’s deputy and a Delaware State Trooper found Heacock unconscious inside the home, the Delaware State Police said.

Emergency Medical personnel initially took him TidalHeath in Salisbury, but he was later transferred to Shock Trauma in Baltimore with significant injuries and is in critical condition.

“At this point in the investigation it is unclear what transpired inside the residence, but we do know the officer was involved in a physical altercation.” state police said.

State police also said that an elderly couple across the street were injured in a separate but related incident. Both “sustained significant injury” and were transported to local hospitals, although one has since been taken to Shock Trauma as well.

After more police arrived on the scene, “multiple people” in the initial residence were taken into custody. Police have not commented on charges they may be facing.

Delmar Police Chief Ivan Barkley said Heacook is a 22-year police veteran.

“He is a husband, son, brother, and father,” Barkley said. “Keith is fighting for his life right now, and he needs your prayers along with the elderly couple who were also injured.”

Delaware State Police, the Delmar Police Department, the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office, and the Maryland State Police are working together on the investigation.

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