Roll of Honor
Incident
Trooper Jose Cavazos was shot and killed during a traffic stop on an exit ramp from southbound I-95 in the Dale City area of Prince William County. During the traffic stop the passenger of the vehicle opened fire with a 9 mm handgun, striking Trooper Cavazos six times. Two men were arrested in connection with his murder. The shooter was sentenced to death and was executed on March 16, 2000. The overpass at the Dale City interchange where Trooper Cavazos was killed was named in his honor in January 1998. Trooper Cavazos had served with the Virginia State Police for 12 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-D97F6302- 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.
Trooper II Cavazos gave the Virginia State Police 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Virginia. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper II Cavazos.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Trooper II Jose M. Cavazos 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 Virginia State Police, 19 of 52 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 36.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Jose M. Cavazos's cause is highlighted.
How Jose M. Cavazos Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 2000
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jose M. Cavazos is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Jose M. Cavazos was killed by handgun; 9 mm.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
51 officers from Virginia State Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
