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Incident
Patrolman Courtney Cook and Patrolman Clarence Small were killed in an automobile crash in the 4600 block of Jefferson Avenue while en route to raid an illegal gambling house. Their patrol car was struck by another patrol car that was responding to an unrelated call. Patrolman Cook was a United States Navy Veteran and served with the Newport News Police Department for 14 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents, sister, and nephew.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. Courtney is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Cook gave the Newport News Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Newport News community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Courtney Wayne Cook served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Newport News Police Department has lost 12 officers; 5 of them lost to accidents.
Courtney is one of 203 officers lost to accidents in VA, 31.1% of the 653 remembered there.
Courtney is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Courtney is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1961, 2 officers at Newport News Police Department were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1961, 2 officers in VA were lost to accidents, the 32nd heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1870, with 10.
In 1961, 67 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 59th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1961, 76 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 64th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Courtney was 27. Of the 5 lost to accidents at Newport News Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 27 and 31; the middle age was 30. Courtney had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 7.3 years.
Courtney was 27. Of the 192 lost to accidents in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 45; the middle age was 36. Courtney had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Courtney was 27. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Courtney had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Courtney was 27. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Courtney had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 60% of these deaths at Newport News Police Department, more than any other month. Saturdays: 40%.
June holds 10.3% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 12.8%. Saturdays: 17.7%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 41.7% of all 12 deaths at Newport News Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.1% of all 653 deaths in VA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Newport News Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, Courtney among them.
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Robert Hitchman Smith
Jun 11, 1919
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Robert Hayes DeKorte
Sep 23, 1921
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Weldon Olen Bass
Sep 25, 1933
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Claude Thomas Parks
Sep 10, 1943
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Charles Nelson Doughty
Aug 11, 1946
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Courtney Wayne Cook
Jun 24, 1961
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Clarence Eugene Small
Jun 24, 1961
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Wallace Earl Nesbitt
Jan 8, 1970
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Dennis Jerome Roberts
Mar 20, 1981
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Steven Robert Rutherford
Jan 12, 1994
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Larry Douglas Bland
May 13, 1994
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Katherine Mary Thyne
Jan 23, 2020
Where
Military Service
Courtney Wayne Cook served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Visit Courtney Wayne Cook’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 64-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Newport News Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
