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Jose M. Cavazos
Agency patch
Trooper II

Jose M. Cavazos

Virginia State Police — North Chesterfield, VA
Felonious
United States flag Virginia flag
End of Watch February 24, 1993
Age 50
Tour of Duty 12 yrs
Badge 772
The Vigil Panel 308 · Column 3 · Line 20 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 51

Incident

Trooper Jose Cavazos was shot and killed during a traffic stop on an exit ramp from southbound I-95 in the Dale City area of Prince William County. During the traffic stop the passenger of the vehicle opened fire with a 9 mm handgun, striking Trooper Cavazos six times. Two men were arrested in connection with his murder. The shooter was sentenced to death and was executed on March 16, 2000. The overpass at the Dale City interchange where Trooper Cavazos was killed was named in his honor in January 1998. Trooper Cavazos had served with the Virginia State Police for 12 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.

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.
Trooper II Cavazos gave the Virginia State Police 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Virginia. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper II Cavazos.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Virginia State Police
Type State Police
Location North Chesterfield, VA
Platform Identity vsp.va.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 24, 1993
Tour of Duty 12 yrs
Age 50
Badge Number 772
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Jose is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  3. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1993, 101 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 51st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Jose was 50. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Jose had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Virginia State Police has 52 officers remembered here, Jose among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Trooper II Jose M. Cavazos

Virginia State Police · End of Watch February 24, 1993

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 27-W

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