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Incident
Detective Thomas Kittinger was killed when he was intentionally dragged by a man wanted on a moral charge. Detective Kittinger was off-duty when he spotted the man near Jefferson High School. When he reached into the vehicle, the man rolled the window up on his arms and began to drive away, dragging him several blocks. He was thrown to the ground when the suspect crashed the car into a second vehicle. The 23-year-old driver was arrested and charged with murder. He was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 20 years. Detective Kittinger was a United States Army veteran who had been promoted to detective two months earlier with the Roanoke City Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 10-year-old 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. Army. One record, 2 gates. Thomas 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.
Detective Kittinger served with the Roanoke City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Roanoke 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
Thomas E. Kittinger served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Roanoke City Police Department has lost 15 officers; 12 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Thomas 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 1961, 1 officer at Roanoke City Police Department was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 10 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 2.
In 1961, 2 officers in VA were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 1961, 69 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 104th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1961, 73 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 102nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 32. Of the 10 killed feloniously at Roanoke City Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32.8 and 48.8; the middle age was 36.
Thomas was 32. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38.
Thomas was 32. 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.
Thomas was 32. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
April holds 16.7% of these deaths at Roanoke City Police Department; July holds the most, 25%. Saturdays: 16.7%.
April holds 5.6% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Saturdays: 16%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 80% of all 15 deaths at Roanoke City Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.2% of all 653 deaths in VA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.6% 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 automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
His people
Roanoke City Police Department has 15 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
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Thomas A. Mabry Jan 8, 1892
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Robert M. Beard
Oct 12, 1906
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Anthony D. Hiner
Aug 21, 1910
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John H. Leverett
Jun 21, 1916
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Paris R. Fields May 28, 1920
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Claude H. Morgan
Jul 2, 1925
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William M. Terry
Jul 3, 1925
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Ambrose M. Smith
Jul 8, 1927
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George Pettit Thomas
Nov 20, 1930
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William R. Carter
Dec 12, 1930
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Leonard Russell Morris
May 15, 1934
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Thomas E. Kittinger
Apr 29, 1961
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Joseph B. Jennings
Jun 28, 1965
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David Wayne Rickman
Apr 12, 1986
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Fred Wayne Robinson
Jan 5, 1992
Military Service
Thomas E. Kittinger served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Thomas E. Kittinger’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 21-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Roanoke City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
