Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Roberts was shot and killed while moonlighting as a security guard at a Department Store near the intersection of 29th Street and Washington Avenue. While he attempted to arrest a shoplifter he was shot and killed. The suspect was shot and killed by other officers in the same store almost one year later during a shootout that left an officer seriously wounded. Patrolman Roberts was a U.S Army veteran of the Vietnam War and served with the Newport News Police Department for less than 11 years
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-D16C72A2- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Dennis. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
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 Roberts gave the Newport News Police Department 10 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
Dennis Jerome Roberts served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman Dennis Jerome Roberts is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In VA, 395 of 654 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Newport News Police Department, 7 of 12 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Dennis Jerome Roberts's cause is highlighted.
How Dennis Jerome Roberts Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Dennis Jerome Roberts is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Dennis Jerome Roberts was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Newport News Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
