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Rodney Fredderick Pocceschi
Incident
Police Officer Rodney Pocceschi was shot and killed while making a traffic stop in the 2100 block of Dam Neck Road at 3:24 am.
After the vehicle was stopped, the driver exited and opened fire, striking Officer Pocceschi. The suspect and Officer Pocceschi were fatally wounded in the ensuing exchange of gunfire. A juvenile who was returning from a fishing trip, observed Officer Pocceschi in the roadway and stopped to render assistance. He flagged down another officer who was responding to a robbery call. Officer Pocceschi was transported to Virginia Beach General Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds approximately 40 minutes later.
Officer Pocceschi had stopped the vehicle only minutes after a robbery call at a local restaurant. The vehicle's passenger and an employee of the restaurant that was robbed, were both arrested and charged in relation to the robbery. The suspect who shot Officer Pocceschi was a six time convicted felon and was wanted for assaulting another police officer.
Officer Pocceschi had served with the Virginia Beach Police Department for four years and was assigned to the Special Operations Units. He had previously served with the Bloomsburg University Police Department in Pennsylvania.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and 9-month-old son.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Pocceschi gave the Virginia Beach Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Virginia Beach community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Pocceschi.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Virginia Beach Police Department has lost 12 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Rodney is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
Rodney is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Rodney 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 2003, 1 officer at Virginia Beach Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 5 years on record. The heaviest was 2025, with 2.
In 2003, 7 officers in VA were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 2003, 64 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2003, 69 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Rodney was 33. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Virginia Beach Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 25 and 32.3; the middle age was 27.5. Rodney had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
Rodney was 33. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Rodney had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Rodney 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. Rodney had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Rodney was 33. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Rodney had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 16.7% of these deaths at Virginia Beach Police Department; February holds the most, 33.3%. Mondays: 16.7%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Mondays: 13.2%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 12 deaths at Virginia Beach Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 33.3% 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 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Virginia Beach Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, Rodney among them.
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Roger L. McClung
Dec 19, 1968
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Robert R. Monette
Dec 19, 1968
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William Douglas Black
Jul 11, 1979
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Jimmy Wayne Mobley
Jul 11, 1979
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Daniel T. Maloney
Dec 27, 1981
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George Wayne Starr
Aug 31, 1991
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Rodney Fredderick Pocceschi
Jun 23, 2003
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Michael Smith Phillips
Aug 7, 2008
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Enrique L Taitt Oct 18, 2010
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David J. Nieves
Feb 1, 2022
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Cameron Robert Girvin
Feb 22, 2025
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Christopher M. L. Reese
Feb 22, 2025
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 64-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Virginia Beach Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
