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Incident
Chief of Police John Woods was killed in an automobile crash on Cottage Toll Road (present day Tidewater Drive), near its intersection with Sewells Point Road, in Norfolk County, Virginia. His vehicle collided with the rear of a tow truck that had just stopped on the roadway to pull another car out of a ditch. Chief Woods had served as chief for eight years and had served with the Norfolk Police Department for 17 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three sons, and mother.
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.
Chief of Police Woods gave the Norfolk Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Norfolk community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Woods.
— 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.
John is one of 203 officers lost to accidents in VA, 31.1% of the 653 remembered there.
John is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John 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 1946, 2 officers at Norfolk Police Department were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1946, 3 officers in VA were lost to accidents, the 12th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1870, with 10.
In 1946, 63 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 68th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1946, 68 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 77th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
John was 45. 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. John had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 10 years.
John was 45. Of the 192 lost to accidents in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 45; the middle age was 36. John had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 45. 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. John had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 45. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. John had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 11.8% of these deaths at Norfolk Police Department; August holds the most, 23.5%. Fridays: 11.8%.
October holds 6.9% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 12.8%. Fridays: 16.7%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 43.6% of all 39 deaths at Norfolk Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.1% of all 653 deaths in VA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Norfolk Police Department has 39 officers remembered here, John 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 53-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
38 officers from Norfolk Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
