Roll of Honor
Incident
Trooper Robert Caldwell was killed in an automobile crash at the intersection of 39th Street and Chestnut Avenue in Newport News while in pursuit of a traffic violator at 10:34 pm. Another vehicle pulled out of a service station and into Trooper Caldwell's path, causing a collision. Trooper Caldwell's partner was seriously injured in the accident, and two occupants of the other vehicle were also killed. Trooper Caldwell was a United States Army WWII veteran and had served with the Virginia State Police for 18 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents and fiancee.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-72A87CB9- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Robert. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
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 Caldwell gave the Virginia State Police 1 year.
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 Elvin Caldwell served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Trooper Robert Elvin Caldwell 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 Elvin Caldwell's cause is highlighted.
How Robert Elvin Caldwell Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Elvin Caldwell is highlighted in Jun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
51 officers from Virginia State Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
