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Incident
Captain Tommy Bernal was killed when his motorcycle was struck head-on by a vehicle while he was conducting a training exercise with several agencies near Front Royal, Virginia.
He was riding on Route 649, a winding and hilly country road, with members of Fairfax County and Arlington County motor squads. The unit in front of him lost control on a curve and swerved into an oncoming lane. A vehicle in that lane swerved into Captain Bernal's lane to avoid colliding with the unit and collided with Captain Bernal as he crested a hill.
Captain Bernal had served with the Fairfax County Police Department for 29 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three sons.
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
29 years. You could have gone home.
Captain Bernal gave the Fairfax County Police Department 29 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Fairfax community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Captain Bernal.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Fairfax County Police Department has lost 8 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Tommy is one of 203 officers lost to accidents in VA, 31.1% of the 653 remembered there.
Tommy is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Tommy is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2001, 1 officer in VA was lost to accidents, the 55th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1870, with 10.
In 2001, 77 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2001, 89 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 39th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Tommy was 51. Of the 192 lost to accidents in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 45; the middle age was 36. Tommy had served 29 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Tommy was 51. 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. Tommy had served 29 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Tommy was 51. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Tommy had served 29 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 10.3% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 12.8%. Thursdays: 13.8%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 37.5% of all 8 deaths at Fairfax County Police Department, the 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 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Fairfax County Police Department has 8 officers remembered here, Tommy among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 18-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Fairfax County Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
