Incident
Trooper Robert Porter and Trooper Joseph Thomas were killed in an airplane accident in Allmondsville, Gloucester County, Virginia, after delivering a message to the family of a drowning victim that the woman's body had been found. The troopers had dropped a tablet containing the note in the family's yard and were attempting to ascend when the Aeronca Champion single-engine plane stalled and crashed into a yard along the York River. Trooper Porter was acting as an observer. Trooper Porter was a United States Army veteran and served with the Virginia State Police for 10 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, parents, and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-CD2574A1- 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.
Trooper Porter served with the Virginia State Police.
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 Edward Porter served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Trooper Robert Edward Porter 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 Edward Porter's cause is highlighted.
How Robert Edward Porter Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Edward Porter is highlighted in Jun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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