Traffic advisories for Officer’s memorial service

The police officer killed in an on-duty car crash will be honored Monday in Wilmington.

A memorial service for Officer Richard Matthews will take place Monday at 1:00 pm, at St. Mark’s Catholic Church on Eastwood Road.

If you are attending the service, or will be traveling through that part of town, be aware of possible delays. Eastwood Road from Cardinal Drive to Rogersville Road
will be closed for the horse-drawn caisson bearing the coffin to travel to the church between 12:15pm – 12:45pm. Motorists are asked to use an alternate route during this time.
This will be the only time that Eastwood is closed, however due to the memorial service for WPD Officer Richard Matthews, motorists should be aware of the potential for delays on Eastwood Road from noon through 3:00 p.m.

The church is large, but it’s believed it will fill up fast. No standing will be allowed, due to fire safety regulations. Attendees will be asked to turn off all cell phones and pagers.

Final services and burial for Officer Matthews will be conducted in his home town of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Officer Matthews died early Wednesday morning. He was responding as back-up for another officer, when he swerved to avoid a box in the roadway, lost control, and hit a tree