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Incident
Patrolman Mark DeCuypere was shot and killed after responding to the scene of a domestic dispute at 386 Leeland Avenue in Hampton. The male suspect had just murdered his wife in their front yard and was waiting in ambush for responding officers. Patrolman DeCuypere arrived at the scene at 7:30 a.m. and notified dispatch of his location after seeing the woman's body in the street. As he ended his radio call, the man, who was hiding behind a bush next to the driver's door of the patrol car, opened fire with a shotgun and struck Patrolman DeCuypere in the head. The man remained in his hiding spot until EMTs arrived several minutes later. He began to approach the EMTs who were attending to the murdered woman when Patrolman DeCuypere's backup arrived. The man again hid behind the shrub and shot the other officer as he requested backup. Although wounded, the officer obtained his shotgun and fatally shot the subject. Patrolman DeCuypere was transported to Dixie Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds several hours later. Patrolman DeCuypere was a United States Navy and Navy Reserve veteran and had served with the Hampton Police Department for 21 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, parents, and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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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, salute.nw. One record, 3 gates. Mark 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 DeCuypere gave the Hampton Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Hampton 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
Mark Curtis DeCuypere served in the the United States military (1971â1973) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Hampton Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Mark is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
Mark is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Mark 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 1975, 4 officers in VA were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 1975, 163 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1975, 181 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Mark was 22. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Mark had served 1.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Mark was 22. 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. Mark had served 1.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Mark was 22. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Mark had served 1.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 9.2% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Thursdays: 16.5%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Hampton Police Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.2% of all 653 deaths in VA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 9.4% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Hampton Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Mark among them.
Where
Military Service
Mark Curtis DeCuypere served in the U.S. Navy (1971–1973) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Mark Curtis DeCuypere’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 28-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Hampton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
