Katherine Thyne

Police Officer Katie Thyne died after being dragged by a vehicle while conducting an investigation.

She and her partner were investigating reports of drug activity when they approached a car along the 1400 block of 16th Street in Newport News. During the investigation, the driver sped off, dragging Police Officer Thyne for a block. The vehicle struck a tree, and Officer Thyne was pinned between the tree and the vehicle door.

Officer Thyne was taken to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.

The driver of the vehicle was taken into custody and charged with felony homicide, evading and eluding, and possession of narcotics. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the narcotics charges in April 2021. He was convicted of second-degree murder and hit-and-run in November 2022.

Officer Thyne was a United States Navy veteran and served with the Newport News Police Department for approximately one year.

She and her partner were investigating reports of drug activity when they approached a car along the 1400 block of 16th Street in Newport News. During the investigation, the driver sped off, dragging Police Officer Thyne for a block. The vehicle struck a tree, and Officer Thyne was pinned between the tree and the vehicle door.

She is survived by her 2-year-old daughter, fiancée, mother, three brothers, and grandparents.