William Peterson
Agency patch
Officer

William Peterson

Norfolk Police Department — Norfolk, VA
Accident
End of Watch March 17, 1962
Age 25
Tour of Duty 2 yrs
The Vigil Panel 97 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Officer William Peterson was struck and killed by a drunk driver while assisting in the execution of a warrant at 9 p.m. While walking on the service road in the 6500 block of Virginia Beach Boulevard towards another patrol car, Officer Peterson was hit and knocked into a ditch. He was transported to Norfolk Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries an hour later. The driver was arrested and pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and drunken driving. Officer Peterson had served with the Norfolk Police Department for two years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, son, foster parents, and sister.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship
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Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Peterson 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 Peterson.

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

Agency

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

Service Record

End of Watch March 17, 1962
Tour of Duty 2 yrs
Age 25
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident
Weapon Automobile

The Sacrifice · Accident

William is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1962, 69 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 51st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

William was 25. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. William 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

March holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.9% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

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

VI

Where

Officer William Peterson

Norfolk Police Department · End of Watch March 17, 1962

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 32-E

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