( CNN ) -- Delaware authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the recent discovery of the body of a former Pentagon official in a landfill , according to a statement released Monday by the Newark , Delaware , Police Department . The Delaware medical examiner 's office has ruled the death of 66-year-old John P. Wheeler a homicide . Wheeler was discovered at Wilmington 's Cherry Island Landfill on December 31 . Wheeler , who lived in New Castle , worked under three Republican presidents -- Ronald Reagan , George H.W . Bush , and George W. Bush . He served as a special assistant to the Air Force secretary from 2005 to 2008 . Among other things , he also served as head of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and was the first chairman of Mothers Against Drunk Driving . A staff officer in Vietnam , Wheeler was a graduate of West Point , as well as Harvard Business School and Yale Law School . `` We are asking for the public 's assistance '' in the case , Newark police spokesman Lt. Mark Farrall told CNN . `` We do n't know where the crime scene occurred . The body was dumped within our jurisdiction . '' Newark is about 12 miles southwest of Wilmington . Farrall noted that Wheeler 's body was seen jutting out of a garbage truck at the landfill by a spotter whose job it is to ensure that hazardous material is not dumped there . Police believe Wheeler 's body was most likely picked up by the truck at one of the first of ten specially designated dumpster pick-up spots before heading to the landfill . Farrall said police do not know when Wheeler was last seen . He noted that Wheeler had been scheduled to take a train from Washington to Wilmington near the time of the death , though he dismissed reports that Wheeler had actually been seen on a train . Farrall said an apparent dispute between Wheeler and a neighbor was `` one facet of the investigation . '' Wheeler 's attorney , Bayard Marin , told CNN that his client had been involved in a lengthy legal fight with a couple building a new home across the street in a historic district of New Castle . Wheeler had adamantly opposed the new construction . The dispute may have become contentious , but `` I ca n't recall a confrontation , '' Marin said . `` Everything seemed to be kept within normal bounds . '' The Newark Police Department released a statement on behalf of Wheeler 's family . `` As you must appreciate , this is a tragic time for the family . We are grieving our loss . Please understand that the family has no further comment at this time . We trust that everyone will respect the family 's privacy , '' the family said . Veterans advocates offered statements of praise for the former official , who served in Vietnam . `` It is only fitting that we pause now and remember Jack Wheeler , who served his country honorably , then dedicated himself to ensuring that our nation 's service members are always given the respect they deserve , '' said Jan Scruggs , president of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund . What Wheeler `` cared about was civic values and civic virtue , '' wrote James Fallows , national correspondent for The Atlantic . `` He was a complicated man of very intense ( and sometimes changeable ) friendships , passions , and causes . ... I feel terrible for his family and hope they will eventually find comfort in knowing how many important things he achieved . '' CNN 's Alan Silverleib , Allan Chernoff , Sarah Baker , and Nina Golgowski contributed to this story .
The body of James P. Wheeler was found in a landfill . Wheeler was involved in a lengthy property dispute with a neighbor . Delaware police are investigating the former Pentagon employee 's death . The Delaware medical examiner 's office has ruled Wheeler 's death a homicide .