Robert B. Hatchell

Petersburg Bureau of Police — Petersburg, VA

Felonious

End of Watch July 18, 1943

Age 45

Tour of Duty 15 yrs

Badge 7

The Vigil Panel 80 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 6

Incident

Patrol Officer Robert Hatchell was shot and killed with his own weapon following a brief vehicle pursuit of a stolen vehicle. The stolen car went over an embankment near the back of the old Petersburg Hospital and the driver fled on foot. Officer Hatchell had chased the man into a ravine and was bringing him back up to Washington Street when the man was able to disarm and shoot him. Two passengers in the car identified the driver who was later arrested and charged with Officer Hatchell's murder. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. On October 13th, 1945, his sentence was commuted to life. Later evidence surfaced that pointed to the suspect's innocence. The two passengers, who at the time of the incident said they hitched a ride with the suspect, could no longer be located. He was pardoned by Governor John Battle on December 23rd, 1952. Officer Hatchell had served with the Petersburg Police Department for 15 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, three children, and three sisters.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-VA-D7405088
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrol Officer Hatchell gave the Petersburg Bureau of Police 15 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Officer Hatchell.

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

Agency

Department Petersburg Bureau of Police

Type Federal Agency

Location Petersburg, VA

Platform Identity petepd.fed.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 18, 1943

Tour of Duty 15 yrs

Age 45

Badge Number 7

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's handgun

Patrol Officer Robert B. Hatchell is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 officers honored here.

In VA, 394 of 655 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.2% of this state's fallen. That is 60.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Petersburg Bureau of Police, 5 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.4% of this agency's fallen.

Petersburg Bureau of Police

of 7 officers

71.4% Felonious

VA — Statewide

394

of 655 officers

60.2% Felonious

Nationwide

of 97,756 officers

0% Felonious