Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Robert Wash was shot and killed by a man he suspected might be about to commit a burglary in the 100 block of E 39th Street. He and his partner stopped to check out the suspicious man standing by a number of phones at a drug store. The subject started to run and Detective Wash's partner tried to apprehend him. The man pulled out a gun and shot the officer as Detective Wash grabbed him and threw him toward the drug store wall. The man dropped to the ground and fired two shots at Detective Wash, fatally wounding him. His partner was wounded but was able to hold the subject in a leg lock until other officers arrived. The man was found to have burglary tools on him and was getting ready to break into the drug store. The officers were shot with a stolen Smith and Weston five-shot .32-caliber handgun. The man was convicted of murder and executed in November 1961. Detective Wash had served with the Norfolk Police Department for 16 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-530887C1- 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.
Detective Wash gave the Norfolk Police Department 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the Norfolk community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Wash.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Robert Courtland Wash 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 Courtland Wash's cause is highlighted.
How Robert Courtland Wash Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Courtland Wash is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert Courtland Wash 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.
