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Robert Hayes DeKorte
Incident
Patrolman Robert DeKorte was shot and killed with his own weapon while attempting to arrest a fugitive at 448 Twenty-Ninth Street. The subject was found guilty of First Degree Murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. Patrolman DeKorte was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWI and had served with the Newport News Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and young son.
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. Robert 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 DeKorte gave the Newport News Police Department 3 years.
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
Robert Hayes DeKorte served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Newport News Police Department has lost 12 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Robert is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
Robert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Robert 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 1921, 1 officer at Newport News Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 6 years on record. The heaviest was 1994, with 2.
In 1921, 10 officers in VA were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1921, 248 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1921, 516 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
Who
Robert was 33. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Newport News Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 32.5; the middle age was 31. Robert had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 5.7 years.
Robert was 33. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 33. 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. Robert had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 33. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 14.3% of these deaths at Newport News Police Department; January holds the most, 42.9%. Fridays: 42.9%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Fridays: 12.7%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 58.3% of all 12 deaths at Newport News Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 42.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.2% of all 653 deaths in VA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 7.4% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Newport News Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, Robert 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
Robert Hayes DeKorte served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Visit Robert Hayes DeKorte’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 51-E
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.
