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Incident
Sergeant Roy Wright and Officer William Mines were shot and killed after stopping a suspicious man behind a shopping center in the 1200 block of Route 1 at about 4:00 am. The officers called the man over to their patrol car. Unbeknownst to the officers the man had murdered a gas station attendant in New Jersey earlier in the morning. As the man talked to the officers, who were still seated in their patrol car, the he produced a handgun and opened fire, killing Officer Mines instantly. Sergeant Wright, who was wounded, exited the vehicle and was then shot execution style by the subject. The subject then stole both officers' service revolvers and handcuffs before fleeing. The officers were not found for several hours as they had not called in the stop. As the suspect fled he nearly struck a delivery man who wrote down the license plate in order to report him as a reckless driver. During the investigation the plate was traced to the suspect. Three days later he was apprehended in Wayne, Michigan, after he crashed the car he was driving into another car during a police chase. The driver of the other car, a 21-year-old man who was to be married the next day, was killed. The suspect was returned to Virginia, convicted of murder, and sentenced to life in prison. He died of liver cancer while still in prison on February 17, 2004, several days after an appeal for clemency was denied by the governor.
Survivors
Sergeant Wright was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Wright served with the Fredericksburg Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Fredericksburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Wright.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Fredericksburg Police Department has lost 5 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Roy is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
Roy is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Roy is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1964, 4 officers in VA were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 1964, 75 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 94th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1964, 76 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 99th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Roy was 31. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38.
Roy was 31. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Roy was 31. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
May holds 9.2% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Tuesdays: 13%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 60% of all 5 deaths at Fredericksburg Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 66.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.2% of all 653 deaths in VA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 25.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Fredericksburg Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, Roy among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 47-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Fredericksburg Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
