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Philip Michael Pennington
Incident
Police Officer Philip Pennington was shot and killed on Thanksgiving Day after he and other officers responded to the home of a man who had ambushed and shot an Arlington County sheriff's deputy the previous day. He and his fellow SWAT officers were called to the home in the 14700 block of Dodson Drive, in Dale City, where the suspect had fled after shooting the deputy. When the team entered the home they were confronted by the man holding a pistol. Officer Pennington tried to talk the suspect into putting down the pistol but the man retreated into another portion of the house, grabbed a rifle, and opened fire. Officer Pennington was struck once in the head, with the bullet penetrating his helmet. The subject was shot and killed by other members of the SWAT team. Officer Pennington had been shot and wounded in an unrelated drug raid 11 months earlier. Officer Pennington had served with the Prince William County Police Department for 11 years. He is survived by his wife and son. Five years after the shooting, his wife was sworn in as a Prince William County police officer. Philip Michael Pennington Elementary School in Manassas is named for the fallen officer.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Police Officer Pennington gave the Prince William County Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Prince William community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Pennington.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Prince William County Police Department has lost 4 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Philip is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
Philip is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Philip 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 1990, 1 officer in VA was killed feloniously, the 92nd heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 1990, 88 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 71st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1990, 104 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Philip was 35. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Philip had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Philip 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. Philip had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Philip was 35. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Philip had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 7.4% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Thursdays: 16.5%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 4 deaths at Prince William County Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, 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 rifle, in 4.1% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Prince William County Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Philip among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 32-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Prince William County Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
