Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Ashville Williamson was shot and killed during a riot that erupted after police attempted to arrest several sailors for disorderly conduct. The enlisted sailors had started a disturbance in a local theatre before moving through the downtown area, interrupting many businesses and citizens. Officer Williamson was shot near the intersection of Bank Street and Williams Street (the intersection no longer exists). Several other officers and sailors were wounded during the riot. Officer Williamson had served with the Norfolk Police Department for only one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, parents, two brothers, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-F715487B- 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
You barely got started.
Officer Williamson gave the Norfolk Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Norfolk community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Williamson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Ashville T. Williamson 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 Norfolk Police Dept., 20 of 39 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 51.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ashville T. Williamson's cause is highlighted.
How Ashville T. Williamson Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ashville T. Williamson is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ashville T. Williamson was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
38 officers from Norfolk Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
