Bernard Walter Wright
Agency patch
Trooper

Bernard Walter Wright

Virginia State Police — North Chesterfield, VA
Accident
End of Watch January 17, 1976
Age 39
Tour of Duty 15 yrs
Badge 708
The Vigil Panel 116 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Trooper Bernard Wright was killed in an automobile crash during a pursuit of a speeder on Route 696 in Halifax County. Trooper Wright lost control of his patrol car and overturned. Trooper Wright had served with the Virginia State Police for 15 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, three daughters, one brother, one sister, and his parents.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-BE740EA7
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 Bernard. 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Trooper Wright gave the Virginia State Police 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Virginia. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Wright.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Location North Chesterfield, VA
Platform Identity vsp.va.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 17, 1976
Tour of Duty 15 yrs
Age 39
Badge Number 708
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident
Weapon Automobile
Offender Never charged

Trooper Bernard Walter Wright 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.

Virginia State Police
32
of 52 officers
61.5% Accident
VA — Statewide
203
of 654 officers
31% Accident
Nationwide
10,088
of 32,508 officers
31% Accident

National Cause Distribution

How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Bernard Walter Wright's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Bernard Walter Wright Compares

Age at End of Watch
39
This officer
Avg for Accident: 38.1 years
Years of Service
15
This officer
Avg for Accident: 9.1 years

Offender Outcome

Never charged

When Accident Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Bernard Walter Wright is highlighted in Jan.

Jan
820
Feb
730
Mar
748
Apr
707
May
847
Jun
795
Jul
897
Aug
937
Sep
913
Oct
925
Nov
872
Dec
897

Incident Location