Incident
Officer Bland was shot and killed while making a traffic stop on Smucker Road near Mechville Road. He had placed the suspect in the back of his patrol car. As he was writing a ticket, the man shot him in the back of the head through an opening in the patrol car's cage. The suspect kicked out one of the rear windows of the car and fled on foot. The suspect was arrested after a two hour manhunt. The man was convicted of Officer Bland's murder and sentenced to life in prison. Officer Bland's body was found by his wife, who was also an officer with the Newport News Police Department. Officer Bland had previously served as an auxiliary officer for the Hampton Police Department, Gloucester County Sheriff's Office, and Newport News Police Department.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtqfdgn55vpvcsn28d1jb- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Larry. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Bland gave the Newport News Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Newport News community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Bland.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Newport News Police Department has lost 12 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Larry is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
Larry is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Larry 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 1994, 2 officers at Newport News Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1994, 5 officers in VA were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 1994, 93 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1994, 99 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 63rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Larry was 48. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Newport News Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 32.5; the middle age was 31. Larry had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 5.7 years.
Larry was 48. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Larry had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Larry was 48. 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. Larry had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Larry was 48. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Larry had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 14.3% of these deaths at Newport News Police Department; January holds the most, 42.9%. Fridays: 42.9%.
May holds 9.2% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Fridays: 12.7%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 58.3% of all 12 deaths at Newport News Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 28.6% 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
Newport News Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, Larry among them.
-
Robert Hitchman Smith
Jun 11, 1919
-
Robert Hayes DeKorte
Sep 23, 1921
-
Weldon Olen Bass
Sep 25, 1933
-
Claude Thomas Parks
Sep 10, 1943
-
Charles Nelson Doughty
Aug 11, 1946
-
Courtney Wayne Cook
Jun 24, 1961
-
Clarence Eugene Small
Jun 24, 1961
-
Wallace Earl Nesbitt
Jan 8, 1970
-
Dennis Jerome Roberts
Mar 20, 1981
-
Steven Robert Rutherford
Jan 12, 1994
-
Larry Douglas Bland
May 13, 1994
-
Katherine Mary Thyne
Jan 23, 2020
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Newport News Police Department are honored on badge.nw.










