Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Michael Connors was shot and killed after making a traffic stop of a car traveling the wrong way on a one way street near the intersection of Madison Street and Grace Street. Unbeknownst to Patrolman Connors, the four occupants of the vehicle were recent parolees and had just committed an armed robbery of a convenience store on the other end of the block. The suspects thought that Patrolman Connors had witnessed the robbery and opened fire on him, striking him in the face four times. He was found by his lieutenant minutes later. All four suspects were sentenced to life. The shooter had originally been sentenced to death but had the sentence commuted to life in a second trial. The shooter was paroled in 2020 following a controversial decision by the Virginia Parole Board that deviated from normal hearing procedures by intentionally failing to notify Patrolman Connors' survivors of the hearing. The Virginia Office of the State Inspector General determined that the parole board violated state law and its own procedures in granting the parole. Patrolman Connors had served with the Richmond Police Department for one year and had just received word that he was going to be hired by an agency in his home state of New York.
Survivors
survivors of the hearing. The Virginia Office of the State Inspector General determined that the parole board violated state law and its own procedures in granting the parole.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-EC33BE17- 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 Michael. 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
You barely got started.
Patrolman Connors gave the Richmond Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Richmond community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Connors.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Michael P. Connors 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 Richmond Police Department, 20 of 40 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Michael P. Connors's cause is highlighted.
How Michael P. Connors Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 2020
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Michael P. Connors is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Michael P. Connors was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
39 officers from Richmond Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
