Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Robert DeKorte was shot and killed with his own weapon while attempting to arrest a fugitive at 448 Twenty-Ninth Street. The subject was found guilty of First Degree Murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. Patrolman DeKorte was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWI and had served with the Newport News Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and young son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-667C4D65- 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.
Patrolman DeKorte gave the Newport News Police Department 3 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
Robert Hayes DeKorte served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman Robert Hayes DeKorte 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%.
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. Robert Hayes DeKorte's cause is highlighted.
How Robert Hayes DeKorte Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Hayes DeKorte is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert Hayes DeKorte was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Newport News Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
