Virginia Beach Law Enforcement Officers Memorial

05/05/2026

05/15/2025

We will be moving forward with the Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony as planned on Thursday, May 15, at 2:00 PM. The ceremony will take place at the Virginia Beach Law Enforcement Memorial located on 35th Street.

We look forward to honoring the lives and service of our fallen heroes with you. Please arrive early, and keep in mind that parking in the area may be limited.

02/26/2025

Virginia Beach Police Officers Cameron Girvin and Christopher Reese dedicated their lives to upholding the safety and well-being of others.

Officer Cameron Girvin graduated from VBPD’s 68th Police Academy and was sworn in as a certified officer on June 19, 2020. He was 25 years old.

Officer Christopher Reese was a member of the 72nd Police Academy and was sworn in as a certified officer on July 29, 2022. He was 30 years old.

These officers were not just members of this department; they were family, friends, and heroes. Their sacrifice is a painful reminder of the daily dangers our officers face and their unwavering commitment to serve with honor and integrity.

To the families of our fallen heroes: We stand with you, grieve with you, and will never forget the service and sacrifice of your loved ones. To the men and women of this department: Lean on one another, support one another, and honor our fallen by continuing the mission they so bravely upheld.

We ask the community to keep these officers, their families, friends, and fellow officers in your thoughts and prayers.

06/23/2023

On this day 20 years ago, Virginia Beach Police Officer Rod Pocceschi was killed in the line of duty. Please take a moment today to remember his life, service and tremendous sacrifice.

Additionally, this Memorial is recognizing the 11th anniversary of its dedication. Please visit the VB Police Foundation’s website to learn more: https://www.vbpolicefoundation.org/memorial/

05/18/2023

07/27/2022

Congratulations to the men and women of the 72nd Virginia Beach Police Academy.

06/23/2022

19 years ago today.

Virginia Beach Police Officer Rodney Pocceschi was shot and killed while making a traffic stop in the 2100 block of Dam Neck Road at 3:24 am.

After the vehicle was stopped, the driver exited and opened fire, striking Officer Pocceschi. The suspect and Officer Pocceschi were fatally wounded in the ensuing exchange of gunfire. A juvenile who was returning from a fishing trip, observed Officer Pocceschi in the roadway and stopped to render assistance. He flagged down another officer who was responding to a robbery call. Officer Pocceschi was transported to Virginia Beach General Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds approximately 40 minutes later.

Officer Pocceschi had stopped the vehicle only minutes after a robbery call at a local restaurant. The vehicle's passenger and an employee of the restaurant that was robbed, were both arrested and charged in relation to the robbery. The suspect who shot Officer Pocceschi was a six time convicted felon and was wanted for assaulting another police officer.

Officer Pocceschi had served with the Virginia Beach Police Department for four years and was assigned to the Special Operations Units. He had previously served with the Bloomsburg University Police Department in Pennsylvania.

06/23/2021

9 years ago (June 23, 2012), we celebrated the dedication of the Virginia Beach Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. The memorial features three bronze officers representing the Virginia Beach Police Department, the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office and the state and federal agencies that protect the citizens of Virginia Beach and visitors to our city. The officers have interlocking hands, symbolizing their support for one another as their other hand reaches out to citizens below, extending help to the community. The interlocking hands are lit from below with a soft blue light. Names of the fallen officers are inscribed on the granite base of the memorial. The memorial is 19 feet tall and ten feet wide at the base. The officers are about two times life size. The memorial is located in a newly designed plaza at the end of 35th Street and the Boardwalk in a setting designed to allow for quiet reflection on the sacrifices made by the members of our law enforcement who have died in the line of duty. Individual plaques provide details of each fallen officer’s line-of-duty death. If you wish to support the ongoing maintenance and upkeep of the Memorial, please visit www.vbpf.org to make your tax-deductible donation.