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Incident
Police Officer Berchman White was shot and killed in Portsmouth while he and his sergeant transported a prisoner from the South Norfolk Trial Justice Court to the Norfolk County Jail. They were driving on King Street, near Water Street, and approaching the Norfolk County Jail when the prisoner reached from the back seat, grabbed the sergeant's service pistol, and then shot Officer White in the head. The subject then committed suicide with the pistol. The man had just been convicted of escaping from jail and sentenced to six additional months. He murdered Officer White as they returned him to jail to service the sentence. Officer White had served with the South Norfolk Police Department for 18 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
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
You barely got started.
Police Officer White gave the South Norfolk Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Chesapeake community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer White.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
South Norfolk Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Berchman is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
Berchman is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Berchman is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1941, 3 officers in VA were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 1941, 92 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 61st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1941, 260 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Berchman was 35. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Berchman had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Berchman was 35. 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. Berchman had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Berchman was 35. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Berchman had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 9.4% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Mondays: 13.2%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at South Norfolk Police Department. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 50% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
South Norfolk Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Berchman among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 39-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from South Norfolk Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
