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Curtis Lee Wood
Incident
Inspector Curtis Wood was killed when he fell from his motorcycle while pursuing a drunk driver near Lee Hall in Williamsburg. The vehicle he was chasing crashed into an Army truck and its occupants were arrested. They were both charged with drunk driving and transporting liquor. On March 14, 1942, the Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles was split into the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Department of State Police. The Virginia State Police assumed highway patrol duties while the Department of Motor Vehicles Enforcement Division assumed investigative duties.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Inspector Wood served with the Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles.
Thank you for your service to the Richmond community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Inspector Wood.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles - Enforcement Division has lost 9 officers; 6 of them lost to accidents.
Curtis is one of 203 officers lost to accidents in VA, 31.1% of the 653 remembered there.
Curtis is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Curtis 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 1929, 2 officers at Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles - Enforcement Division were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1929, 3 officers in VA were lost to accidents, the 12th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1870, with 10.
In 1929, 118 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1929, 130 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Curtis was 31. Of the 6 lost to accidents at Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles - Enforcement Division whose age is recorded, half were between 30.3 and 39.8; the middle age was 35. Curtis had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 0.7 years.
Curtis was 31. Of the 192 lost to accidents in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 45; the middle age was 36. Curtis had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Curtis was 31. 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. Curtis had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Curtis was 31. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Curtis had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 16.7% of these deaths at Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles - Enforcement Division; February holds the most, 33.3%. Mondays: 33.3%.
March holds 5.4% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 12.8%. Mondays: 10.8%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 66.7% of all 9 deaths at Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles - Enforcement Division, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 16.7% 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
Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles - Enforcement Division has 9 officers remembered here, Curtis among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 35-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles - Enforcement Division are honored on badge.nw.
