Roll of Honor
Wallace Earl Nesbitt
Incident
Patrolman Wallace Nesbitt was shot and killed while arresting a man for writing a bad check in the Sherwood Shopping Center in a hobby stort. While handcuffing the suspect the man suddenly spun around, grabbed Patrolman Nesbitt's service weapon, and shot him. He then shot the Hobby store owner in the abdomen leaving him seriously wounded. The suspect, 24, was convicted of murder and sentenced to 35 years. He was convicted of maiming the store owner and received an additional 16 years. He was paroled in December of 1982. He was only out of prison a few days when he was arrested in Newport News for possession of heroin. For violating his parole he was returned to prison to serve the remainder of his sentence. He was convicted of possession of heroin and sentenced to 8 years. Patrolman Nesbitt was a Vietnam War veteran and had served with the Newport News Police Department for 2 years. He was survived by his expectant wife, who later gave birth to a son. Patrolman Nesbitt's son went on to serve as a police officer in the Newport News Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his expectant wife, who later gave birth to a son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-6E46D067- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Nesbitt gave the Newport News Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Newport News community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Wallace Earl Nesbitt served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman Wallace Earl Nesbitt 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 97,759 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 Newport News Police Department, 7 of 12 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Wallace Earl Nesbitt's cause is highlighted.
How Wallace Earl Nesbitt Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Wallace Earl Nesbitt is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Wallace Earl Nesbitt was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Military Service
Wallace Earl Nesbitt served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Wallace Earl Nesbitt’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Newport News Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
