Roll of Honor
W. Neville Hatcher
Incident
Inspector Neville Hatcher was shot and killed in Brandy, Culpeper County, while attempting to arrest a murder suspect. He had received information that the suspect was at his father's house. He located the man sitting in a car in front of the house and attempted to arrest him. The man was able to gain control of Inspector Hatcher's service weapon and shot him five times. Inspector Hatcher was transported to the University of Virginia Hospital, in Charlottesville, where he succumbed to his wounds. The suspect fled the scene and evaded capture. Inspector Hatcher was survived by his parents, four brothers, and two sisters. He was buried in Middleburg. On March 14, 1942, the Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles was split into the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Department of State Police. The Virginia State Police assumed highway patrol duties while the Department of Motor Vehicles Enforcement Division assumed investigative duties.
Survivors
Inspector Hatcher was survived by his parents, four brothers, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-F171C747- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Inspector Hatcher served with the Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles.
Thank you for your service to the Richmond community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Inspector Hatcher.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Inspector W. Neville Hatcher 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 97,756 officers honored here.
In VA, 394 of 655 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.2% of this state's fallen. That is 60.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles - Enforcement Division, 2 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 22.2% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. W. Neville Hatcher's cause is highlighted.
How W. Neville Hatcher Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. W. Neville Hatcher is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. W. Neville Hatcher was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles - Enforcement Division are honored on badge.nw.
