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Incident
Patrolman Charles Doughty was shot and killed with his own weapon while attempting to make an arrest on near Pier X on River Road. He was dispatched to the area to investigate a theft when he stopped a male and female subjects. After questioning them he ordered them into his vehicle as he searched their belongings in a bag. The male subject exited the police vehicle after refusing Officer Doughty 's commands to get back inside. The subject was able to gain control of Officer Doughty's Service revolver during a brief struggle and shot him. After being shot the first time a passing cab driver helped Patrolman Doughty into the cab but the suspect opened the door and shot him again. The shooter was apprehended and executed in October of 1947. Patrolman Doughty served with the Newport News Police Department for five and a half years.
Survivors
He was survived by his Aunt.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Doughty gave the Newport News Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Newport News community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Doughty.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Newport News Police Department has lost 12 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Charles is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
Charles is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Charles is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1946, 1 officer at Newport News Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 6 years on record. The heaviest was 1994, with 2.
In 1946, 3 officers in VA were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 1946, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1946, 93 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 67th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 31. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Newport News Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 32.5; the middle age was 31. Charles had served 5.7 years; the middle length of service was 5.7 years.
Charles was 31. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 5.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 31. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 5.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 31. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 5.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 14.3% of these deaths at Newport News Police Department; January holds the most, 42.9%. Sundays: 14.3%.
August holds 9.4% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Sundays: 18.6%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 58.3% of all 12 deaths at Newport News Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 42.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.2% of all 653 deaths in VA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 7.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Newport News Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
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Robert Hitchman Smith
Jun 11, 1919
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Robert Hayes DeKorte
Sep 23, 1921
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Weldon Olen Bass
Sep 25, 1933
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Claude Thomas Parks
Sep 10, 1943
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Charles Nelson Doughty
Aug 11, 1946
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Courtney Wayne Cook
Jun 24, 1961
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Clarence Eugene Small
Jun 24, 1961
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Wallace Earl Nesbitt
Jan 8, 1970
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Dennis Jerome Roberts
Mar 20, 1981
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Steven Robert Rutherford
Jan 12, 1994
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Larry Douglas Bland
May 13, 1994
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Katherine Mary Thyne
Jan 23, 2020
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 26-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Newport News Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
