Robert F. Dunn

Norfolk Police Dept. — Norfolk, VA

Felonious

End of Watch July 13, 1943

Age 37

Tour of Duty 11 yrs

The Vigil Panel 80 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 38

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: 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.
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

Department Norfolk Police Dept.

Location Norfolk, VA

Platform Identity npd.norfolk.va.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 13, 1943

Tour of Duty 11 yrs

Age 37

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun; .38 caliber

Offender Paroled in 1963

Officer Robert F. Dunn 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 Norfolk Police Dept., 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.

Norfolk Police Dept.

of 39 officers

51.3% Felonious

VA — Statewide

395

of 654 officers

60.4% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious