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
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtn81qca689g5td5g319c- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Norfolk Police Department has lost 39 officers; 17 of them lost to accidents.
William is one of 203 officers lost to accidents in VA, 31.1% of the 653 remembered there.
William is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1962, 1 officer at Norfolk Police Department was lost to accidents, the 3rd heaviest of 15 years on record. The heaviest was 1946, with 2.
In 1962, 1 officer in VA was lost to accidents, the 55th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1870, with 10.
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.
In 1962, 80 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 57th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
William was 25. Of the 17 lost to accidents at Norfolk Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 43; the middle age was 31. William had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 10 years.
William was 25. Of the 192 lost to accidents in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 45; the middle age was 36. William had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
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.
William was 25. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. William had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 5.9% of these deaths at Norfolk Police Department; August holds the most, 23.5%. Saturdays: 17.6%.
March holds 5.4% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 12.8%. Saturdays: 17.7%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 43.6% of all 39 deaths at Norfolk Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 31.1% of all 653 deaths in VA, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.4% of these deaths.
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.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.6% of these deaths.
His people
Norfolk Police Department has 39 officers remembered here, William among them.
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John McNerney
Sep 22, 1904
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Rufus A. Hobbs Jul 23, 1909
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Stonewall Jackson Taylor
Nov 13, 1917
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Ashville T. Williamson Oct 31, 1918
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Harvey J. Babb
Oct 21, 1919
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Harry Lankford Charlton Aug 24, 1920
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William Louis Sherrod
Sep 9, 1920
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Edward J. Vellines
Nov 5, 1924
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Joseph E. Johnson
Aug 11, 1930
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Allen E. Lindsay
Aug 21, 1934
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Benjamin Harrington Butts
Jan 1, 1935
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Jefferson Randolph Holland
Aug 17, 1937
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John Franklin Harmann
Mar 29, 1938
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Arthur Herbert Barrett
Apr 9, 1938
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Michael Aloisio
May 23, 1939
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Franklin Augustus Davis, Sr.
Jul 13, 1943
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Robert F. Dunn
Jul 13, 1943
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John Fulton Woods
Oct 4, 1946
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George Washington Perkins
Dec 12, 1946
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Daniel E. Hobbs
Apr 27, 1952
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Carlton James Byrd
Aug 25, 1952
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William Warren Lassiter
May 1, 1958
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Louis Edward Spry
Jul 26, 1958
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Robert Clifton Hill
Dec 9, 1959
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Benjamin Pope Myrick, Jr.
Feb 13, 1960
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Robert Courtland Wash
May 16, 1961
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William Peterson
Mar 17, 1962
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Robert J. Bouchard
Sep 3, 1971
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Lewis Willard Hurst, Jr.
May 24, 1972
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Stephen Samuel Douros
Jun 21, 1980
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John C. Thomas, III
Apr 4, 1984
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Douglas Eric Drye
Apr 14, 1984
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William Henry Burtt
Feb 3, 1998
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James B. Gilbert
Sep 28, 2001
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Sheila Herring
Jan 16, 2003
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Stanley Cornell Reaves
Oct 28, 2005
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Seneca Bailey Darden
May 21, 2006
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Brian Wayne Jones
May 30, 2014
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Maurice Joseph
Oct 9, 2024
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 32-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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