Michael Kevin Saffran
Incident
Police Officer Michael Saffran was shot and killed after responding to a bank robbery call at a local bank.
When he arrived on the scene, he observed a vehicle speeding away, and he immediately began pursuing it. The suspect vehicle crashed a short distance away at the intersection of Highway 17 and Yadkin Road.
As the pursuing officers exited their vehicle, the suspect pulled a female hostage from the car. When the hostage broke free, the suspect and the officers exchanged gunfire. The suspect, Officer Saffran, and the hostage were all struck by the gunfire. The suspect was killed at the scene. Officer Saffran and the female hostage were transported to Norfolk General Hospital, where Officer Saffran died.
Officer Saffran was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served with the Chesapeake Police Department for 11 months.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-7F6AAB3D- 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.
Police Officer Saffran served with the Chesapeake Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chesapeake community. Thank you 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
Michael Kevin Saffran served in the Navy (1991â2004) before joining law enforcement.
Police Officer Michael Kevin Saffran 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 Chesapeake Police Department, 4 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Michael Kevin Saffran's cause is highlighted.
How Michael Kevin Saffran Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Michael Kevin Saffran is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Michael Kevin Saffran was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Chesapeake Police Department are honored on badge.nw.




