Police Memorials

Norfolk County Sheriff's Department
Killed in the Line of Duty: August 29, 1909

Deputy Joseph Sykes was shot and killed on Old County Road, in the City of South Norfolk, as he and two special officers attempted to question three suspicious men they observed on the road. When the three men realized they had been seen by the officers they split up and began walking in separate directions. As one of the officers began chasing one of the suspects they exchanged shots. Deputy Sykes and the other officer took the remaining two suspects into custody at gunpoint. One of the two suddenly stepped behind the other, drew a gun, and opened fire. Deputy Sykes was struck once in the neck and once in the leg. Both suspects then fled the scene. Deputy Sykes was taken to St. Vincent's Hospital, in Norfolk City, where he died the following evening. All three suspects were apprehended within three weeks. The suspect who shot Deputy Sykes was sentenced to death and executed at the Virginia State Penitentiary on June 10, 1910.

Deputy Sheriff Sykes was survived by his wife and two children and was killed in the line of duty on August 29, 1909, while in the performance of his fundamental duties of serving mankind, safeguarding lives and property.

Norfolk County Police Department
Killed in the Line of Duty: December 11, 1926

Jasper Columbus Miller was born in 1879 and resided in the Indian River Park Section of Norfolk County with his wife, Isa Parker Miller, six daughters and three sons. Jasper Miller was appointed a Norfolk County Law Enforcement Officer in 1917.

On December 11, 1926, Officer Miller, Norfolk and Western Railway Detective Fred D. Porter and Mr. Arthur C. Keter, were all directed to execute a search warrant for illegal liquor in residences located on Old Great Bridge Road, West Munden, in Norfolk County. Officer Miller had successfully executed a search warrant and raid on an illegal liquor establishment in the same neighborhood earlier that morning. Arriving at the house at approximately 11:30 p.m., Detective Porter and Mr. Keter went to the rear of the house to prevent the escape of those inside the house. Officer Miller went to the front door entering the house at the same time. As they entered the house, several subjects became belligerent and combative with the officers, one lady attempted to assault Officer Miller with a cast iron frying pan. Officer Miller and his partners subdued the woman and arrested several other subjects. After ensuring that the prisoners were secured, Officer Miller decided to search the rest of the house. Officer Miller then left Detective Porter and Mr. Keter with the prisoners in the kitchen and entered the hallway in the house. Waiting in the hallway was an undiscovered male armed with a double barrel shotgun. Officer Miller progressed down the hallway having no idea of what lay ahead. Suddenly, in the darkened hallway, a shot rang out, shattering the stillness of the house. Detective Porter and Mr. Keter immediately rushed to the aid of their fellow officer, however it was too late, Officer Miller had been hit with a shotgun blast at close range, killing him instantly. The suspect escaped through an open window. Detective Porter in hot pursuit was unable to catch him and Mr. Hodges successfully eluded him. The next day a search party led by Norfolk County Police Officers found and captured the suspect in a house some miles from where the shooting had occurred. Officer Jasper Columbus Miller was a well-known Norfolk County Police Officer at the time and was held in high regard by both his fellow officers and the citizens he swore to serve and protect.

Officer Jasper Columbus Miller was killed in the line of duty on December 11, 1926, while in the performance of his fundamental duties of serving mankind, safeguarding lives and property.

South Norfolk Police Department
Killed in the Line of Duty: August 4, 1941

Berchman L. White was appointed to the South Norfolk Police Department in February, 1940 at the age of 34. Officer White was assigned to South Norfolk as a Uniformed Patrol Officer for the eighteen months following his appointment. Officer White was originally a resident of Goldsboro, North Carolina. He moved to Virginia and became a resident of South Norfolk. Officer White resided at 1324 Decatur Street with his wife, Beatrice Holloman White, and two daughters, Joan, age 7 and Kay, age 5. Officer White had many varied and interesting positions prior to becoming a South Norfolk police officer including being a fire fighter with the South Norfolk Fire Department.

On August 4, 1941, Officer White and Sergeant E. S. Overman were dispatched to transport a 37 year old male prisoner to the Norfolk County Jail. The prisoner was sentenced by the South Norfolk Trial Justice Court to six months in jail for drunkenness and escape from custody. According to witnesses, the prisoner was quiet from the courthouse in South Norfolk to the Norfolk County Jail parking lot. As the vehicle approached the jail, the prisoner became very disorderly. The prisoner, riding in the rear of the vehicle, reached over the front seat and grabbed Sergeant Overman's service revolver from his holster. The prisoner then turned the weapon on Officer White and fired it. The bullet struck Officer White near the right eye. Sergeant Overman grabbed the weapon and began to wrestle with the prisoner to regain control of the situation. His attempt to regain the weapon failed. The prisoner was able to maintain control of the weapon and turned it on himself, firing a bullet into his own head. Officer White was pronounced dead in a Portsmouth hospital approximately one hour after the shooting. The prisoner died August 9, in the King's Daughter's Hospital.

Officer Berchman L. White was killed in the line of duty on August 4, 1941, while in the performance of his fundamental duties of serving mankind, safeguarding lives and property.

Norfolk County Police Department
Killed in the Line of Duty: August 14, 1953

Talbot Duffy Barrow was born on March 6, 1911 in Belhaven, North Carolina. He became a resident of Virginia in 1917 when he moved to the Cradock section. He attended Cradock High School, graduating in 1930. Before becoming a police officer, Talbot Barrow held positions in both the public and private sectors. His positions ranged from deckhand on steamships, to being a police officer in the city of Portsmouth, Virginia, to being a private detective. Following the declaration of war in 1941, Talbot Barrow enlisted in the U.S. Navy on February 17, 1942. He saw action in many campaigns as part of the U.S. Navy invasion forces. He obtained the rank of Boatswain Mate Second Class and was honorably discharged following the cessation of hostilities on November 15, 1945. Officer Barrow was appointed as a Norfolk County Police Officer on May 9, 1953, and was assigned badge number twenty-four. Officer Barrow was married to Betty Jean Barrow and had no children.

At 5:37 a.m. on August 14, 1953, car number one of the Tanners Creek district with Officer Barrow and his partner Officer R. A. Marshall was dispatched to Elders Corner to protect life and property from live electric wires, which had broken from the high winds of hurricane Barbara. Responding to the scene, Officers Barrow and Marshall encountered deep water on the roadway. Officer Barrow stepped out of the vehicle to investigate the situation. Upon exiting the police cruiser, Officer Barrow came into contact with a live high voltage electrical line which was lying in the water. Officer Barrow was immediately electrocuted. Officer Marshall was severely shocked when he tried to pull Officer Barrow back into the patrol car. Passing citizens came to the aid of the officers. Unfortunately, Officer Barrow could not be revived and was pronounced dead on arrival at DePaul Hospital. Officer Marshall was revived and returned to full duty. Sheriff J. Arthur Hodges, Sheriff of the Norfolk County Police Department, was deeply affected by Officer Barrow's death and stated he had never known a more conscientious officer in the Department.

Officer Talbot Duffy Barrow was killed in the line of duty on August 14, 1953, while in performance of his fundamental duties of serving mankind, safeguarding lives and property.

South Norfolk Police Department
Killed in the Line of Duty: June 7, 1962

Ralph Michael Steed was born in Patterson, New Jersey, on August 5, 1926. Steed later moved to Greensboro, North Carolina where he was raised by his grandmother. Steed was actively involved in the Armed Forces and enlisted in the U.S. Army following the outbreak of hostilities during World War II. Steed served in many capacities of the Army and was honorably discharged in 1945. Steed received an award in recognition of his devoted and selfless consecration to the service of mankind. In the late 1940's Steed moved to Virginia where he resided in the 900 block of Freeman Avenue with his wife, Marjorie Steed, and their two children, Cecelia, age 13 and Chris, age 10. Steed owned and operated an automobile shop located at the intersection of Freeman Avenue and Bainbridge Boulevard He spent much of his time racing cars, motorcycles and go-carts. As a former member of Nascar, Steed could frequently be seen driving Daredevil cars around South Norfolk. In the mid 1950's Steed was employed with the South Norfolk Fire Department. He was a fire fighter with the Department approximately five years before joining the South Norfolk Police Department in 1959. Steed was appointed to the South Norfolk Police Department as a patrolman and served the people of South Norfolk for the three years that followed. Steed went through South Norfolk's first dog school and became a K-9 handler. Further in his career with the Police Department, Steed became a detective.

On June 7, 1962, at approximately 12:10 a.m., Detective Steed and his partner, Patrolman H. P. Bayly were finishing their night's duty. As the two officers approached the intersection of Liberty Street and Atlantic Avenue, they were met by an oncoming vehicle racing towards them at speeds up to 95 miles per hour. The driver of the vehicle, a 20 year old male, was absent without leave from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Norfolk Police had been following the suspect for 4 ½ miles. The suspect, in an attempt to escape from Norfolk Police, approached the intersection, lost control of his vehicle and struck the police vehicle containing Detective Steed and Patrolman Bayly. Detective Steed was pronounced dead at Norfolk General Hospital four hours after the head on crash. The suspect was charged with manslaughter, hit and run, reckless driving, driving without a registration card and driving without a license.

Detective Ralph Michael Steed was killed in the line of duty on June 7, 1962, while in the performance of his fundamental duties of serving mankind, safeguarding lives and property.

Chesapeake Police Department
Killed in the Line of Duty: November 30, 1974

Ray Pierce Gallimore was originally a native of Galax, Virginia, but had lived in Chesapeake for approximately eighteen years. He attended Great Bridge High School where he graduated on June 9, 1950. Ray Gallimore was married to Virginia Deer Gallimore having two step children with Virginia, Katie Jo Seidman and Rebecca Ann Seidman. They resided at 412 Rock Creek Drive. Ray Gallimore had been previously married to Marilyn Lee Pike for 18 years and together had two children, Kenneth Ray and Vickie Sue. Prior to his appointment as a police officer, Ray Gallimore held various interesting positions throughout the local community receiving four letters of commendations and was highly respected by his friends, neighbors and fellow officers. Officer Gallimore was appointed as a Chesapeake Police Officer on December 16, 1967. He graduated from the Tidewater Police Academy and the Central Police Training School.

Shortly after 1:00 p.m. on November 30, 1974, while on patrol in the Deep Creek section of Chesapeake, Officer Gallimore came upon a minor, single motor vehicle accident at the intersection of George Washington Highway and Wildwood Road. Officer Gallimore signed off with the dispatcher and exited his police vehicle to investigate the accident. As he spoke to the driver of the accident vehicle, the driver suddenly jumped from the vehicle and pulled a gun on Officer Gallimore. A struggle ensued and the suspect gained control of Officer Gallimore's service weapon. The suspect abducted Officer Gallimore at gun point, forcing Officer Gallimore into the police vehicle. The suspect used the police vehicle to head into the city of Portsmouth. Citizens who had observed the incident notified the police. At the intersection of Jefferson Street and Atlanta Avenue in the city of Portsmouth, Officer Gallimore attempted to wrestle the gun away from the suspect. The suspect then shot Officer Gallimore in the head, killing him instantly. The suspect left the police car, commandeered another vehicle, placing that vehicle's driver in the trunk, and drove away. Approximately fifteen minutes later, the suspect was cornered at High Street and 27th Street in the city of Portsmouth. When faced with apprehension by the Police, the suspect turned the weapon on himself and shot himself in the head, dying instantly. The suspect was a five-term convict who was out on the work release program. Officer Gallimore was the first Chesapeake Police Officer killed in the line of duty since the city's incorporation in 1963.

Chesapeake Police Department 
Killed in the Line of Duty: September 27, 1982

Prior to becoming a police officer, John Henry Cherry was a technician for the city of Norfolk. John Cherry was appointed to the Chesapeake Police Department on September 16, 1971. He was a member of the first session of the Chesapeake Public Safety Academy. Sergeant Cherry was a native of Washington D. C. before moving to Norfolk, Virginia and attended Norview High School, graduating in 1958. After serving in the Uniform Patrol Bureau, Officer Cherry was transferred to Criminal Investigations as a detective. He handled assignments in both the Criminal Investigations Unit and the Vice and Narcotics Unit. In these capacities John Cherry distinguished himself as a devoted and persistent officer and investigator. On May 1, 1980, Detective Cherry was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He was assigned to the newly created Power Shift of the Uniform Patrol Bureau.

It was in this capacity that on the night of September 27, 1982, Sergeant Cherry responded with several other officers to the Holly Cove subdivision to answer a domestic call regarding a mentally disturbed woman. The woman allegedly had threatened several members of her family. Upon arrival at her home, Sergeant Cherry evaluated the situation and directed several officers to the front of the residence while he and another officer went to the rear. As the woman was confronted by the police officers, she produced a large kitchen knife and displayed it in an aggressive manner. As the officers approached from the front, Sergeant Cherry slowly approached from the rear in order to disarm the woman without the use of greater force and to avoid serious injury to the troubled woman. It was at this moment that the woman, without warning, suddenly turned and stabbed Sergeant Cherry beneath his right shoulder. The officers moved quickly to subdue the woman and call for medical assistance for Sergeant Cherry. He was flown to Norfolk General Hospital by air ambulance. They were unable to save Sergeant Cherry, who died at 10:30 p.m. He was 43 years old.

Sergeant Cherry received several commendations throughout his career including 1982's "Outstanding Policeman of the Year" award by the Great Bridge Jaycees which was the result of a vote taken from his fellow officers.

Sergeant John Henry Cherry was killed in the line of duty September 27, 1982, while in the performance of his fundamental duties of serving mankind, safeguarding lives and property.

Chesapeake Police Department
Killed in the Line of Duty: November 4, 1995

Daniel Eugene Eaker served in the Armed Forces prior to becoming a police officer. After four years serving his country in the U.S. Navy, Daniel Eaker decided to continue serving his fellow man as a Chesapeake Police Officer. Officer Eaker was appointed as a Chesapeake Police Officer on February 1, 1983. He began his career in the Uniform Patrol Section of the Department. He was soon transferred to the Identifications Unit as a crime scene technician. Officer Eaker also volunteered to serve in the Chesapeake Police Department's Underwater Search and Recovery Team. With the conversion of the Identification Unit's crime scene technicians to civilian employees, Officer Danny Eaker was assigned back to the Uniform Patrol Section.

On November 4, 1995, shortly before 5 a.m., Officer Danny Eaker pulled off of George Washington Highway near Ballahack Road onto a gravel area leading to a boat ramp. He had just cleared up from a call and was parked off the roadway to finish paperwork related to the prior call. The driver of a northbound tractor-trailer combination saw the police car and stopped the rig for assistance from Officer Eaker. Because of the narrow roadway, almost nonexistent shoulders and large deep ditches, the truck driver was unable to pull the truck off the road. The truck driver waved for Officer Eaker, who walked over to the truck. After speaking to the truck driver, who wanted to make a report, Officer Danny Eaker stepped back off the truck steps and onto the road. A Southbound car, driven by a 66 year old male, struck Officer Daniel Eaker. The car, a Buick, went into a ditch after striking Officer Eaker. The driver was injured and was taken to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital by Nightingale helicopter ambulance. A passenger in the Buick had minor injuries. Officer Daniel E Eaker was pronounced dead at the scene. The area of roadway where the fatal accident occurred is very dark with no street lights and with the headlights of the tractor trailer, it is believed that the driver of the Buick was unable to see Officer Eaker in the road until it was too late to avoid striking him.

During his career, Officer Danny Eaker received numerous letters of commendation from citizens and the Department for his outstanding performance. Officer Danny Eaker was survived by his wife, Monica Eaker, and one daughter, Vanessa.

Officer Daniel Eugene Eaker was killed in the line of duty November 4, 1995, while in performance of his fundamental duties of serving mankind, safeguarding lives and property.

Chesapeake Police Department 
Killed in the Line of Duty: October 8, 2005

Michael Kevin Saffran was born April 25, 1960 in Baltimore, Maryland. While in the Navy he moved to Chesapeake with his wife Sandra and their family. After 20 years of service, he retired from the Navy and, on November 29, 2004, joined the Chesapeake Police Department to fulfill a lifelong dream of following in the footsteps of his father, a retired Baltimore City police officer. Officer Saffran attended the Chesapeake Police Academy's 47th Session and graduated May 18, 2005. He completed the Field Training portion of his training just a few short weeks prior to his death.

On Saturday, October 8, 2005 at approximately 9:50 a.m., Officer Saffran responded to a robbery alarm at a local bank. Arriving on the scene, he followed a vehicle observed leaving the area. The vehicle, containing the robber and three hostages, crashed a short distance away at the intersection of Old George Washington Highway and Yadkin Road. A female hostage had been forced at gunpoint to drive the vehicle away from the bank with the other hostages and suspect. After the vehicle wrecked, the suspect pulled the lone male hostage from the car, placing a revolver to this victim's head in his continued attempt to escape. The hostage was able to break free and run while the suspect and officers became involved in a short gun battle. The suspect, Officer Saffran, and a female hostage were all struck by gunfire. The suspect was shot by Officer Saffran and the other officers and died at the scene. Officer Saffran and the injured female hostage were transported to Norfolk General Hospital where Officer Saffran died.

Officer Michael Kevin Saffran was killed in the line of duty October 8, 2005, while in the performance of his fundamental duties of serving mankind, safeguarding lives and property.

Chesapeake Police Department 
Killed in the Line of Duty: January 17, 2008

Jarrod Brent Shivers was born March 30, 1973 in El Paso, Texas. After honorably serving nearly 8 years in the United States Navy, he joined the Chesapeake Police Department on January 31, 2000. Detective Shivers attended the 41st Session of the Chesapeake Police Academy and graduated on June 30, 2000. During his tenure as a uniformed patrol officer, Detective Shivers received several commendations and awards, including winning the Virginia State Police H.E.A.T Program First Place LEO Award for his successful efforts combating auto theft in the City of Chesapeake in 2002. In January 2003, Detective Shivers completed the 3-week long Basic Special Weapons and Tactics Operator's School and he was appointed to the SWAT Team on September 9, 2005. Detective Shivers became a member of the Special Investigations Section on April 1, 2005.

On Thursday, January 17, 2008, at approximately 8:30 p.m., Detective Shivers was attempting to serve a search warrant at a residence suspected of housing a marijuana growing operation. During this incident, shots were fired from inside the residence and Detective Shivers was fatally wounded.

Detective Jarrod Brent Shivers was killed in the line of duty on January 17, 2008, while in the performance of his fundamental duties of serving mankind, safeguarding lives and protecting property.

Chesapeake Police Department 
Killed in the Line of Duty: December 20, 2011

Timothy Brian Schock was born November 8, 1970 in Frankfurt, Germany. After honorably serving four years in the United States Marine Corps, he joined the Chesapeake Police Department on November 1, 1995. Police Officer Specialist Schock attended the 36th Session of the Chesapeake Police Academy and graduated on April 1, 1996. During his tenure with the Chesapeake Police Department, Officer Schock served as a Community Policing Officer, a Field Training Officer and a Detective. He received several commendations and awards, including a Team Award, and two Star Performer Awards. Officer Schock also served on the Honor Guard and the Underwater Search and Recovery Team. He was an active member of Law Enforcement United.

On Tuesday, December 20, 2011, at approximately 11:30 a.m., Police Officer Specialist Schock was participating in a regularly scheduled monthly dive training exercise at Oak Grove Lake Park. During the training exercise Officer Schock experienced a series of equipment malfunctions which contributed to his drowning.

Police Officer Timothy Brian Schock died in the line of duty on December 20, 2011 while in the performance of his fundamental duties of serving mankind, safeguarding lives and protecting property.