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Incident
Sergeant John Cherry was stabbed to death by a mentally ill woman whom he was attempting to arrest on Schooner Trail. The woman had threatened to kill her mother and arrived at the home with a butcher knife. As other officers entered the kitchen, Sergeant Cherry approached the woman from behind in an attempt to disarm her with minimal force. The woman suddenly spun around and stabbed Sergeant Cherry underneath the right shoulder with the 13-inch blade. The other officers apprehended the woman. The suspect was charged with capital murder, but pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. Sergeant Cherry was flown to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his wound. Sergeant Cherry had served with the Chesapeake Police Department for 11 years. He was survived by his wife, daughter, mother, sister, and brother. Sergeant Cherry had twice been named Officer of the Year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, mother, sister, and brother.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Cherry gave the Chesapeake Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chesapeake community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Cherry.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Chesapeake Police Department has lost 6 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
John is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1982, 3 officers in VA were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 1982, 122 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 42nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1982, 142 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 43. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. John had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 43. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. John had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 43. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Mondays: 13.2%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 6 deaths at Chesapeake Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.2% of all 653 deaths in VA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 1.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2% of these deaths.
His people
Chesapeake Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Chesapeake Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
