Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman William Toot was shot and killed at the old city jail, below the Marshall Street Viaduct, when two inmates attempted to escape. The inmates had obtained two pistols that were concealed inside a baked turkey and attempted to shoot their way out. The suspects, who were in jail for murdering a mail-driver, were captured in New York in January 1935. They were subsequently executed on February 2nd, 1935. Police suspected that Anthony Cugino, member of the infamous Tri-state gang, responsible for several murders in the northeast, sent the turkey to the suspects who were members of the gang. On September 9th, 1935, Cugino was arrested in New York City. He confessed to the murder of Policeman Charles Stockberger of the Philadelphia Police Department on July 14th, 1933. That night he hanged himself in his jail cell. He was also the primary suspect in the murder of Policeman James Garvey of the New York City Police Department on April 21st, 1934. Patrolman Toot had served with the Richmond Police Department for 28 years.
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BO-US-VA-277BDD36- Stewardship
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
28 years. You could have gone home.
Patrolman Toot gave the Richmond Police Department 28 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Richmond community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Toot.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman William A. Toot 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 Richmond Police Department, 20 of 40 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William A. Toot's cause is highlighted.
How William A. Toot Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William A. Toot is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William A. Toot was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
39 officers from Richmond Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
