Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Doug Wendel was shot and killed after responding to a call involving a suspected drug dealer on East 33rd Street, near Midlothian Turnpike, in the city's southside at 5:23 pm.
Officer Wendel approached one of the suspects and asked him for identification. The subject began fighting with Officer Wendel and fired four shots in quick succession, shooting him in the neck, back of the head, and shoulder.
Officers responded to the scene when they received a 911 call of an officer shot at 5:27 pm. Officer Wendel was transported to MCV Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The suspect was captured several days later and charged with capital murder. The suspect was convicted of first-degree and capital murder on December 10th, 2003, and was subsequently sentenced to life in prison with no parole.
Officer Wendel had served with the Richmond Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two young sons, a young daughter, brother, and his parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-23BC2C76- 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.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Wendel gave the Richmond Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Richmond community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Wendel.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Douglas Edward Wendel 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 Richmond Police Department, 20 of 40 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Douglas Edward Wendel's cause is highlighted.
How Douglas Edward Wendel Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Douglas Edward Wendel is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Douglas Edward Wendel was killed by handgun; revolver.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
39 officers from Richmond Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
