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Incident
Patrolman Joseph Pratt was shot twice in the abdomen while serving a non-support warrant on a subject on South Saratoga Street at 6:00 p.m. He was transported to a local hospital, where the next morning, he succumbed to his wounds without regaining consciousness. The suspect was apprehended and sentenced to life in prison. He was paroled in the late 1960s. Patrolman Pratt had served with the Suffolk Police Department for 27 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
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
27 years. You could have gone home.
Patrolman Pratt gave the Suffolk Police Department 27 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Suffolk community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Pratt.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Suffolk Police Department has lost 5 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Joseph is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joseph 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 1935, 8 officers in VA were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 1935, 154 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 25th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1935, 156 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joseph was 50. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 27 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 50. 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. Joseph had served 27 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 50. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 27 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 7.6% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Sundays: 18.6%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 60% of all 5 deaths at Suffolk Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 66.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.2% of all 653 deaths in VA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 14.2% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Suffolk Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 30-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Suffolk Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
