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Thomas Allen Belt
Incident
Inspector Thomas Belt succumbed to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident six days earlier while on patrol in Hamilton, Loudoun County. He was attempting to pass a horse and buggy when his motorcycle collided with a vehicle that was backing out from a store. He was taken to Loudoun County Hospital where he died. Inspector Belt was survived by his wife, son, two daughters, three brothers, and sister. On March 14, 1942, the Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles was split into the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Department of State Police. The Virginia State Police assumed highway patrol duties while the Department of Motor Vehicles Enforcement Division assumed investigative duties.
Survivors
Inspector Belt was survived by his wife, son, two daughters, three brothers, and sister.
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.
Inspector Belt served with the Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles.
Thank you for your service to the Richmond community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Inspector Belt.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles - Enforcement Division has lost 9 officers; 6 of them lost to accidents.
Thomas is one of 203 officers lost to accidents in VA, 31.1% of the 653 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1930, 1 officer at Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles - Enforcement Division was lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 5 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 2.
In 1930, 3 officers in VA were lost to accidents, the 12th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1870, with 10.
In 1930, 113 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 3rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1930, 131 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
Who
Thomas was 47. Of the 6 lost to accidents at Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles - Enforcement Division whose age is recorded, half were between 30.3 and 39.8; the middle age was 35.
Thomas was 47. Of the 192 lost to accidents in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 45; the middle age was 36.
Thomas was 47. 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.
Thomas was 47. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
August holds 16.7% of these deaths at Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles - Enforcement Division; February holds the most, 33.3%. Mondays: 33.3%.
August holds 10.3% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 12.8%. Mondays: 10.8%.
August holds 9.5% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.4%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 66.7% of all 9 deaths at Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles - Enforcement Division, the 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 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles - Enforcement Division has 9 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 43-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles - Enforcement Division are honored on badge.nw.
