Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Bland was shot and killed while making a traffic stop on Smucker Road near Mechville Road. He had placed the suspect in the back of his patrol car. As he was writing a ticket, the man shot him in the back of the head through an opening in the patrol car's cage. The suspect kicked out one of the rear windows of the car and fled on foot. The suspect was arrested after a two hour manhunt. The man was convicted of Officer Bland's murder and sentenced to life in prison. Officer Bland's body was found by his wife, who was also an officer with the Newport News Police Department. Officer Bland had previously served as an auxiliary officer for the Hampton Police Department, Gloucester County Sheriff's Office, and Newport News Police Department.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-FB1DD407- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Bland gave the Newport News Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Newport News community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Bland.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Larry Douglas Bland 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 Newport News Police Department, 7 of 12 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Larry Douglas Bland's cause is highlighted.
How Larry Douglas Bland Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Larry Douglas Bland is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Larry Douglas Bland was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Newport News Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
