Kerry Wayne Porter
February 18, 1949 - March 16, 2026
Kerry Wayne Porter, age 77, passed away peacefully at home in Middletown, DE, on Monday, March 16, 2026.
Born in Wilmington, DE, on February 18, 1949, he was the son of the late Doris E. and William H. Porter Jr. A proud graduate of DeLaWarr High School (Class of 1967), Wayne felt the call to duty and enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1971 during the Vietnam Era. Following his honorable discharge, he dedicated his career to public safety. Wayne joined the New Castle County Police Department in 1973, during which time he earned his associate degree in criminal justice from Delaware Technical and Community College. After retiring from the force in 1994, he continued his service to the State of Delaware as a securities investigator for the Department of Justice.
Upon his second retirement in 2015, Wayne embraced the title of “man of leisure” in Lewes. He enjoyed traveling with friends and family, but his favorite place was always on the sidelines or in the stands. Wayne was the number one supporter of his daughters’ sports, never missing a beat when it came to horse riding, softball, cheerleading, and dog shows.
Wayne was known for his attention to detail and his unwavering devotion to those he loved. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Jessica (Costa) Porter; his daughters, Shelby Anderson (Marc) and Kristen Coulby (Christopher); and his beloved grandchildren, Layne and Norah Coulby.
Services will be held privately in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery.
Joe & Marlene Hortiz
Joe & I want to send our love & condolences to Jay & the family.
We had many fun times when he lived at Great Oak Farms, across the street from us. Will always remember our talks about the Circle of Trust! You are now in a safe place with God! ❤️🙏 Joe & Marlene Hortiz
Catherine Capodanno
Super sweet, nice and funny guy. He will be greatly missed. Love and prayers to his family.
B Frank Fitzwater
Jessica and girls I just saw Wayne’s obituary please accept my deepest condolences he was truly one of the best and will be missed dearly. I will always remember his laugh and dry sense of humor.He was a great friend and neighbor and awesome Father and loving husband to Jessica. A true loss to your family and friends. RIP Brother until we meet again 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Deirdre Richards
Shelby, I am very sorry for the loss of your Dad. Prayers for your strength at this sad time. Deirdre Richards
Marissa Morrison (Davis)
I am so sorry to hear about Wayne’s passing. As a friend of his daughter Kristen in our younger years, I will forever have the memories of looking in the stands as we cheered on the sidelines at a football game or more specifically, out on the mat competing in a competition and seeing Wayne lead the crowd in cheering us on! He was his daughters biggest cheerleader and you knew it! 💙
I send all my love and deepest condolences to Wayne’s family & friends during this tough time.
Diane yingat
John and I are so sorry for your loss. Please let Jessica know I am here for her and you if anything is needed. You all are in our thoughts and prayers.
Diane
John and I are so sorry for your loss. We are here if anything is needed. Wayne was one of the good guys- everyone loved him! Keeping your family in our thoughts and prayers
Vinny
3 Zone! It was a pleasure working with you. You were a hoot.
John W. Lodge, Lt., Ret., NCCPD
Sending Wayne’s family my prayers and thoughts as you mourn Wayne’s passing. I worked with Wayne during our many years of service with NCCPD. Wayne had a great sense of humor, was a hard worker and a was a fine police officer. He genuinely cared about people and his fellow officers. He will be missed by his family and his NCCPD family. Rest in peace KW.
Ellen lasarko
Shelby your Dad sounds like a wonderful brave man. A hero throughout his entire life, along with a very devoted father. I am sure he will surely be remembered by many. I will pray for peace and whatever comfort you and your family need. We are here for you if you need us. The Lasarko Family
Mac McFadden
I had the pleasure of working with Wayne on the New Castle County Police Department for a number of years, He was a true professional
Rest In pease my friend.
Sarah Mack
Sorry for the loss of your loving husband, father and grandfather Will be deeply missed. Thoughts and prayers are with you
Kenneth Bartholomew
Rip Wayne Prayers to your family. Good person and good police officer.
Wayne Phillips
Great man gone too soon. RIP Wayne
Amy
Sending love and prayers to Kristen and the entire Porter Family
Jerome Smuzynski
So sorry for your loss. We were classmate in the police academy. Gone to soon. A great person, police officer and family man.
Carey
Prayers to the entire Porter Family. May God hold them in the palm of His hands.
Olin Slaughter
A good man and a top notch police officer! Rest in peace, Brother. Prayers for Wayne’s family and friends. You will be missed by many!
Thomas Bailor
Wayne was a truly good man. My wife & I will be praying for his family.
Marnita Koveleski
Such a kind man. I got the pleasure to work with. Rest easy kind sir.
Thoughts & Prayers to the family 🙏💙
Mike Rogers
Wayne was one of the Good Guys. It was my pleasure to work with him on the County. R.I.P.
Stephanie Madearos
Dear Jessica and family, we are so sad to hear of the loss of Wayne. There are no words that can express what a persons lifetime experience meant to us, but I hope the love of family and friends can ease the loss. Love to all who will miss him.
Kevin & Ruth Gallagher
Our deepest condolences to the Porter family. Although we were neighbors for only few short years we will always remember Wayne as an awesome neighbor.
Lorraine Schultz
Dear Jessica,
I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Wayne. I can’t imagine the heartache you, Shelby, and Kristen, are experiencing right now. Wayne was not just an all-around solid husband and father, but also a beacon of strength and humor in the lives of those who knew him.
His unwavering support for Shelby and Kristen’s endeavors was a testament to his love and dedication to them. The joy he brought to your lives, will, I’m sure, forever be cherished in your hearts. Even though he never spoke to me about his police work, from what I know about the stress all officers experience, it’s clear that even amidst the challenges of his work as an officer, he found a way to inspire us all. His laughter and lighthearted spirit were a gift to everyone around him, reminding us all to find joy, even in difficult times. It’s his laugh I will carry forward with me.
Moe & Nancy Slawter
Fun times in Great Oak Farms. Barbecues and getting together for an afternoon play written by Shelby and Stephanie. Still have the play script. ❤️
May the support and love of friends and family help you through this difficult time. 🙏🏻
Slawter family