Virginia Beach police officer shot & killed in early morning traffic stop

WVEC.com ^ | 23 June 2003 | WVEC Staff

[csvset]

Breaking News: Virginia Beach police officer shot & killed in early morning traffic stop

06/23/2003

Associated Press & WVEC.com

A Virginia Beach police officer was killed in a shootout early Monday that left another person dead.

The police officer was killed in a shootout on Dam Neck near London Bridge

Police spokesman Mike Carey says the officer, whose name has not been released, pulled over a Ford SUV for a traffic violation near the intersection fo Dam Neck and London Bridge Roads just minutes after a 3:20 a.m. robbery at a nearby International House of Pancakes. He said there were two men in the vehicle and that one got out and started firing on the officer, who returned fire.

One person in the SUV died at the scene and the 33-year-old officer died at Sentara Virginia Beach Hospital.

Carey says a second occupant of the vehicle is being questioned. Police have not determined if the pair robbed the restaurant.

The officer was part of the Selective Enforcement Team, which specializes in DUI enforcement. The officer had been on special ops for about a month. 13News has learned he'd been on that duty for about a month, working in Kempsville with the fourth precinct. He leaves behind a wife and six-month-old son.

Related Links

	Va. Beach Police Memorials

Virginia Beach police will hold at 4:00 p.m. news conference about this case. STAY WITH 13NEWS AND WVEC.com FOR THE LATEST ON THIS STORY.

[csvset]

RIP.

Press brief @ 4 p.m. The chief of the VBPD was the CO of my wife's Navy Reserve unit.

[Zavien Doombringer]

What a shame!!! This is becoming too frequent in our area!

[IGOTMINE]

Oceanside CA PD lost an officer in similiar circumstances about ten days ago. Illegal immigrant with prior felony convictions....

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Awaiting posts from the FR ghoul squad at any moment now.

[Zavien Doombringer]

I know that CA and NY have had many incidences as this, but here in Tidewater, (Virginia region)we didn't see any of this until the last decade or so. Thanks to alot of the Drug trafficing on Rt. 17 and the intracoastal waterway, alot of the "runners" are staying here.

[Hinoki Cypress]

RIP, officer.

[theDentist]

How many Hampton Roads officers have been shot in these last 6 months? 3?

[Coop]

A buddy of mine about that age serves on the force down there. Doesn't appear to be him, however.

God bless this officer and his family.

[Zavien Doombringer]

Pretty close, I am not sure. I do know the majority of these shootings have been in Virginia Beach lately. Norfolk has had 2, one with a fatality within the last year. Portsmouth gets the big share. There are alot of shootings, but not at officers.

[The Magical Mischief Tour]

The officer had been on special ops for about a month.

God bless the officer and his family, but I'm sorry I have to ask, what is up with that?

Spec ops?

These guys and gals do alot and deserve respect but come on they ain't in the SEALs or DELTA...

[Gabz]

I'm glad I live on the other side of the bridge-tunnel (I think)

Horrible story. Prayers for the family.

[csvset]

From this article: Officer first female on Norfolk force killed on duty

Norfolk Officer James B. Gilbert was the most recent local officer killed when he was shot by a man threatening suicide on Sept. 28, 2001. Another city officer, Robert M. Testa Jr., survived five gunshot wounds on Aug. 23 when he confronted a robber at a credit union.

[Zavien Doombringer]

Yes, the 2 things I do not like about the eastern shore..

1. The illegals

2. The dangerous speeding on Rt. 13

[csvset]

Va. state trooper killed in accident on Eastern Shore

Killed by a drunk driver on RT. 13..

[Gabz]

I haven't been here long enough to have encountered problems with illegals, although I am aware there are problems.

And just as I did when I lived in Delaware - I avoid 13 when at all possible - which, knock on wood is most of the time!!!!

[Gabz]

How awful.

I know the intersection and probably have a very good idea where the drunk was coming from. Except for the Moose Lodge, and probably some on Chincoteague, I think there is only one "bar" in all of Accomac County.

[Zavien Doombringer]

Hehe, I was stationed at Dover AFB, 13 runs right infront of the Main Gate...I have seen so many traffic accident right there...

[Zavien Doombringer]

I am familiar with that intersection, I stayed at a Comfort Inn there. Rt. 13 is a Speedway!

[VaFederalist]

My brother is in the 4th precinct so I'm sure he knew this officer.

6-month old son...damn.

[pgkdan]

This happened about 1 mile from my front door. It was the first thing I heard this morning as the clock radio went off. I have several friends on the force and have been trying to get the officer's name but no luck so far. It's a damned shame...prayers for his friends and family.