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Incident
Patrolman Wayne Stoutamyer was shot and killed when he was ambushed outside of his house on Broad Street by a man he had arrested for drunk driving two weeks earlier. Although being shot with two slugs from a 12-gauge shotgun, Patrolman Stoutamyer was able to return fire and wounded the suspect. The man was convicted of Patrolman Stoutamyer's murder and sent to prison. He was paroled after serving only 15 years. Patrolman Stoutamyer had served with the Bridgewater Police Department for 3.5 years and also served as the chief of the Bridgewater Volunteer Fire Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his fiancee, parents, and sister.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Patrolman Stoutamyer gave the Bridgewater Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Bridgewater community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Stoutamyer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Wayne is the only officer of Bridgewater Police Department remembered here.
Wayne is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
Wayne is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Wayne 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 1976, 3 officers in VA were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 1976, 137 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1976, 162 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Wayne was 25. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Wayne had served 3.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Wayne was 25. 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. Wayne had served 3.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Wayne was 25. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Wayne had served 3.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 9.2% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Tuesdays: 13%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Bridgewater Police Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.2% of all 653 deaths in VA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 9.4% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 64-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Bridgewater Police Department are honored on badge.nw.