Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Ralph Ghivizzani was shot and killed while attempting to serve a warrant at 11 Chamberlin Avenue for the theft of a firearm. The man was also awaiting trial for spousal rape when his son went to the police station and informed the desk officer that his father was at home waiting for his mother to return with the intent to kill her. Patrolman Ghivizzani, along with an Elizabeth City County Police Department officer and a military police officer from Fort Monroe went to the home to arrest the man. As Patrolman Ghivizzani told the man he had a warrant the subject pulled a gun from under the table and shot him in the head, killing him instantly. The man wounded the military policeman and a Phoebus firefighter before barricading himself in his home. He committed suicide several hours later. Patrolman Ghivizzani had served with the Phoebus Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, mother, and three brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-0B82BC8C- Stewardship
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- 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.
Patrolman Ghivizzani gave the Phoebus Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hampton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Ghivizzani.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Ralph Keesee Ghivizzani 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ralph Keesee Ghivizzani's cause is highlighted.
How Ralph Keesee Ghivizzani Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ralph Keesee Ghivizzani is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ralph Keesee Ghivizzani was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.