Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Ralph Steed was killed when his police vehicle was struck by the driver of a vehicle fleeing officers from the Norfolk Police Department. Detective Steed and his partner were finishing up their shift and were stopped at an intersection of Atlantic Avenue and Liberty Street when the suspect lost control of his vehicle and collided with them at 95 mph. The subject was an AWOL soldier from Camp Lejune, North Carolina. He was apprehended and charged with manslaughter, hit-and-run, reckless driving, and several other offenses. Detective Steed had been employed with the South Norfolk Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, daughter, and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-C316D92F- Stewardship
- 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. Ralph is one person.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Steed gave the South Norfolk Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chesapeake community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Steed.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Ralph M. Steed served in the U.S. Army (1943â1945) before joining law enforcement.
Detective Ralph M. Steed is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In VA, 394 of 656 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.1% of this state's fallen. That is 60.1 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At South Norfolk Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ralph M. Steed's cause is highlighted.
How Ralph M. Steed Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ralph M. Steed is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ralph M. Steed was killed by automobile.
Incident Location
Military Service
Ralph M. Steed served in the U.S. Army (1943–1945) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Ralph M. Steed’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from South Norfolk Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
