Incident
Trooper Robert Loder was killed in an automobile crash while pursing another vehicle on Route 1, in Ashland, at approximately 4:00 pm. Another vehicle entered the highway from a side road, causing Trooper Loder to swerve. His vehicle overturned several times and he was ejected. He was transported to the Medical College of Virginia, in Richmond, where he was pronounced dead. The driver of the vehicle that pulled in front of him was charged with involuntary manslaughter. Trooper Loder had served with the Virginia State Police for only 27 days. He was a veteran of the Korean War and recipient of three Bronze Stars.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-1841647D- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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 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.
Trooper Loder served with the Virginia State Police.
Thank you for your service to the people of Virginia, 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
Robert Louis Loder, Jr. served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Trooper Robert Louis Loder, Jr. is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In VA, 203 of 654 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 31% of this state's fallen.
At Virginia State Police, 32 of 52 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 61.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert Louis Loder, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Robert Louis Loder, Jr. Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Louis Loder, Jr. is highlighted in Jan.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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