Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Victor Woodhead was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a suspect wanted for robbing the Rochester Chamber of Commerce. He and another detective, along with two employees of the Chamber of Commerce, had been waiting in a hotel to positively identify the suspect. When the suspect came down from his room the detectives started to follow him. The suspect walked to a garage on Stillson Street and got into a car. Detective Woodhead attempted to talk to him but the man suddenly exited the car and opened fire, mortally wounding him. The man was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. On March 1st, 1952, his sentence was commuted to 35 years to life with eligibility for parole in 1958.
Survivors
Detective Woodhead was survived by his wife, daughter, two brothers, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-A897F1B4- 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 Woodhead gave the Rochester Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Rochester community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Woodhead.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Victor Woodhead 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 NY, 728 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.9% of this state's fallen. That is 33.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Rochester Police Department, 9 of 17 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 52.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Victor Woodhead's cause is highlighted.
How Victor Woodhead Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Victor Woodhead is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Victor Woodhead was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
16 officers from Rochester Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
