Roll of Honor
Incident
Trooper Leo Whitt was shot and killed during a traffic stop at 9:45 p.m. on I-95 in Prince George County, approximately 10 miles south of Petersburg. The suspect had escaped from a Maryland prison-type drug treatment facility earlier that day. He had been committed to the facility after being convicted of 10 felony convictions. He stole a car and then drove to his stepfather's restaurant, where he assaulted and robbed him. He then proceeded down I-95, heading towards Florida, picking up a hitchhiker. Shortly thereafter, he was pulled over for a routine traffic stop by Trooper Whitt. The suspect shot Trooper Whitt twice, once in the neck and then between the eyes. He later bragged to his companion that he got away with killing a police officer. The suspect was apprehended and convicted of Trooper Whitt's murder. He was executed in 1996. Trooper Whitt had served with the Virginia State Police for over 20 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-33B4CFE4- 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
20 years. You could have gone home.
Trooper Whitt gave the Virginia State Police 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the people of Virginia. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Whitt.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Trooper Leo Whitt 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. Leo Whitt's cause is highlighted.
How Leo Whitt Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1996
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Leo Whitt is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Leo Whitt was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
51 officers from Virginia State Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
