Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Robert Dunn and Officer Frank Davis were shot and killed after responding to a burglary call at 7501 Granby Street at approximately 5:00 am. When the officers arrived at the scene, they were immediately fired upon as they exited their patrol cars. Both officers returned fire, emptying their revolvers, before being fatally wounded. The 19-year-old suspect was arrested later in the day by two Navy Shore Patrolmen and a Norfolk police officer. He was convicted of two counts of murder and received two life sentences. He was paroled in 1963. Officer Dunn had served with the Norfolk Police Department for 11 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, mother, four brothers, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-CDA8D62C- 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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Dunn gave the Norfolk Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Norfolk community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Dunn.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Robert F. Dunn 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 Norfolk Police Department, 20 of 39 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 51.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert F. Dunn's cause is highlighted.
How Robert F. Dunn Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert F. Dunn is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert F. Dunn was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
38 officers from Norfolk Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
