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Douglas Eric Drye
Agency patch
Officer

Douglas Eric Drye

Norfolk Police Department — Norfolk, VA
Felonious
United States flag Virginia flag
End of Watch April 14, 1984
Age 26
Tour of Duty 2 yrs
The Vigil Panel 283 · Column 4 · Line 6 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 38

Incident

Officer Douglas Drye was shot and killed by a sniper while responding to a shots fired call at 1065 Green Street at 12:15 am. When he and another officer arrived, they discovered a woman who had been shot inside a car parked in front of a home. As they tried to render aid to the woman, a man inside the home shot Officer Drye with an M-1 rifle. The other officer and two citizens pulled Officer Drye across the street behind cover, but he succumbed to his wounds before he could be taken to a hospital. The subject was shot and killed during an ensuing standoff. Officer Drye had served with the Norfolk Police Department for two years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, daughter, and parents.

In Our Keeping

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August 2, 2026
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August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Drye gave the Norfolk Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Norfolk community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Drye.

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

Agency

Department Norfolk Police Department
Type Other
Location Norfolk, VA
Platform Identity npd.norfolk.va.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 14, 1984
Tour of Duty 2 yrs
Age 26
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Rifle

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Douglas is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1984, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Douglas was 26. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Douglas had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Norfolk Police Department has 39 officers remembered here, Douglas among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Officer Douglas Eric Drye

Norfolk Police Department · End of Watch April 14, 1984

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 12-W

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