The Colonel C. W. Woodson, Jr. Memorial Gallery is dedicated to those members of the Virginia State Police and their predecessors, the inspectors of the Division of Motor Vehicles, who gave their lives in the preservation of law and order, and who, in so doing, lived and died in the best traditions of law enforcement’s duty and service to mankind.
Late in the fall of 1943, Colonel Woodson, then Superintendent of the Virginia State Police, and Mr. G. Watson James, Jr., an employee of the Division of Motor Vehicles, agreed that portraits of sworn members of the State Police who had given their lives in the line of duty would be an appropriate and lasting memorial. Although there were no funds available for the project, Mr. James contacted a number of artists and requested they prepare a portrait as a gift to the gallery, then known as the Memorial Art Gallery.
We are grateful to Mr. James and to every artist who has prepared a portrait for the gallery, which was relocated from the Department’s Administrative Headquarters Building to the State Police Academy in 1989. The gallery was renamed at that time to also serve as a memorial to the late Colonel Woodson.
The Department’s Police Officers’ Memorial Service is held each year during National Law Enforcement Week at the State Police Academy, 7700 Midlothian Turnpike, Chesterfield County.
IN MEMORIAL
“It is not how these officers died that made them heroes, it is how they lived.”
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, Washington, D.C
On Aug. 7, 2021, Captain Blankenship succumbed to complications related to a lengthy battle with COVID-19.
1959-2021
On Feb. 4, 2019, Trooper Dowell, in his capacity as a Tactical Team member, was shot and killed while assisting with the execution of a narcotics search warrant at a residence in Cumberland County.
1990-2019
On Aug. 12, 2017, Lieutenant Cullen was killed when his helicopter crashed in Albemarle County.
1969-2017
On Aug. 12, 2017, Trooper-Pilot Bates was killed when his helicopter crashed in Albemarle County.
1976-2017
On May 26, 2017, Special Agent Walter approached a vehicle in the City of Richmond and was shot by the vehicle’s passenger. Special Agent Walter succumbed to his injuries the following morning.
1971-2017
On March 31, 2016, Trooper Dermyer was shot and killed while participating in a tactical interdiction training operation at a bus station in the City of Richmond. Trooper Dermyer had approached a male subject and verbally engaged with the individual when the male subject began shooting at the trooper.
1976-2016
On Sept. 21, 2015, Trooper Smith was responding to an emergency call to provide aid to a fellow trooper when his patrol vehicle ran off an exit ramp leading to Interstate 95 in Prince George County. His patrol car crashed into the wood line. Trooper Smith was flown to VCU Medical Center where he died later that morning.
1987-2015
On Jan. 11, 2014, Sergeant Phillippi was working the overnight shift when his patrol car crashed on Route 57 in Henry County.
1948-2014
On March 7, 2013, Master Trooper Walker was shot and killed during a welfare check on a motorist stopped on the shoulder of Interstate 85 in Dinwiddie County.
1949-2013
On October 5, 2012,Trooper Fox was on special assignment for the State Fair of Virginia in Hanover County and directing traffic on Route 30 when he was struck and killed by an SUV traveling through the intersection.
1984-2012
Trooper Adam M. Bowen was killed June 24, 2011, in King George Co. when his patrol car collided with a vehicle that pulled out in front of him on Route 360. Trooper Bowen’s vehicle then ran off the road and struck a utility pole. Trooper Bowen had been responding to a BCI request for assistance with a traffic stop.
1982-2011
Trooper Barrett, a member of the VSP Search and Recovery Team, was participating in the team’s annual dive training on September 14, 2010, in Lake Anna near Louisa County when he experienced a medical complication underwater. Despite aggressive medical resuscitation by team members and paramedics, he passed away later that night.
1969-2010
On the afternoon of April 25, 2007, Motorist Assistance Aide (MA) Jarratt had pulled off onto the right shoulder of Interstate 95 in Chesterfield County to a call for debris in the roadway. While attempting to remove a large piece of tire tread from the center lane, he was struck by an oncoming tractor-trailer and died at the scene.
1941-2007
Senior Trooper Hill was in the process of issuing a summons to a stopped motorist on Route 58 on November 24, 2006, in Southampton County, when he was struck and killed by a passing vehicle.
1964-2006
Trooper Manion was killed February 18, 2006, while investigating a single-vehicle crash in Clarke County. As the damaged vehicle was being towed from the scene, a stolen rifle inside it discharged and fatally struck Trooper Manion.
1978-2006
Trooper Blanton died January 29, 2003, from injuries sustained during a traffic stop on Interstate 64 in Henrico County. As Trooper Blanton was questioning the suspected drunk driver, the driver tried to flee the scene. Trooper Blanton was dragged with the fleeing vehicle, which overturned and pinned Trooper Blanton underneath.
1973-2003
Trooper Cosslett was killed on October 23, 2002 on Interstate 95 in Fairfax County after a tow truck veered into the path of his motorcycle and struck him, causing him to be ejected from his vehicle.
1962-2002
Trooper Williams passed away on December 12, 1999, from injuries sustained in a crash while trying to overtake a suspect on December 10 in Cumberland County.
1961-1999
Trooper Cheney was struck and killed by a motor vehicle January 17, 1998, while directing traffic at the scene of a motor vehicle crash on U. S. Route 1 near Fredericksburg.
1974-1998
Retired Sergeant Hampton died June 3, 1997, rescuing a young boy from the storm-tossed ocean at Pawley’s Island, SC.
1937 -1997
Trooper Fleenor was killed December 12, 1996, in a crash while trying to overtake a suspected drunk driver in Hanover County.
1966 -1996
Trooper Harmon was shot January 10, 1960, in Pittsylvania County, and died February 7, 1995, due to complications from the wound.
1929 -1995
Trooper Cavazos was shot and killed February 24, 1993, by a motorist following a traffic stop in Prince William County.
1942 -1993
Master Trooper Hines was shot and killed February 20, 1989, following a traffic stop on Interstate 81 near Lexington.
1940 -1989
Trooper Vernon was struck and killed August 16, 1988, by a bus on Interstate 395 following a traffic stop in Alexandria.
1955 -1988
Trooper Henderson was killed March 17, 1987, when he was struck by a truck on Interstate 66 in Warren County.
1944 -1987
Trooper Cochran was shot and killed January 15, 1987, while responding to a domestic argument in Fairfax County.
1959 -1987
Trooper McCoy was shot and killed January 3, 1986, by two motorists following a traffic stop on Interstate 81 in Salem.
1957 -1986
Trooper Whitt was shot and killed April 12, 1985, by a motorist he stopped on Interstate 95 in Prince George County.
1936 -1985
Sergeant Biggs was shot and killed December 18, 1984, by a motorist after a traffic stop in Alleghany County.
1937 -1984
Trooper Bowman was stabbed and killed on Sunday, August 19, 1984, at his home in Manassas by an unknown assailant.
1952 -1984
Special Agent in Charge Grimes was killed October 9, 1983, in a motor vehicle crash on Route 55 in Shenandoah County.
1944 -1983
Trooper Farmer was killed in a crash September 3, 1981, during the pursuit of a violator on Route 639 in Caroline County.
1955 -1981
Trooper Lohr was struck by a car and killed July 22, 1978, while assisting a motorist on Interstate 95 near Carmel Church.
1955 -1978
Trooper Wright was killed in a crash January 17, 1976, during the pursuit of a violator on Route 696 in Halifax County.
1937 -1976
Trooper Fisher was shot and killed November 15, 1976, near Durham, N. C. He had been abducted the day before his death.
1943 -1976
Investigator Seymour was killed April 25, 1975, in a motor vehicle crash that occurred on U. S. Route 1 in Spotsylvania County.
1924 -1975
Trooper Hughes was struck and killed June 3, 1974, in Fairfax County, by a truck following a traffic stop of a motorist.
1946 -1974
Trooper Kennedy was killed November 5, 1973, in a crash during a vehicle pursuit on Route 208 in Spotsylvania County.
1940 -1973
Trooper Lovelace was struck and killed October 18, 1970, during a traffic stop near Newport News.
1944 -1970
Trooper Bussard was killed May 5, 1970, in a crash near Dumfries responding to a call.
1948 -1970
Trooper Harless was killed November 18, 1968, assisting the Lee County Sheriff’s Office with an arrest situation.
1930 -1968
Trooper Miller was fatally injured June 13, 1963, in a crash that occurred near the City of Williamsburg.
1934 -1963
Trooper Morris was shot and killed March 2, 1962, while assisting the Patrick County Sheriff’s Office with an arrest.
1931 -1962
Trooper Brooks was hit by a car and fatally injured June 10, 1956, while investigating a crash in Pittsylvania County.
1927 -1956
Trooper Loder was killed in a motor vehicle crash January 31, 1954, while patrolling U. S. Route 1 in Hanover County.
1931 -1954
Trooper Giles died July 23, 1954, from gunshot wounds suffered while he was attempting to make an arrest in Coeburn.
1930 -1954
Trooper Parrish was killed in a motor vehicle crash October 4, 1953, while patrolling Route 350 in Fairfax County.
1929 -1953
Trooper Smith was killed November 21, 1951, in an automobile and train collision that occurred in Pamplin.
1914 -1951
Investigator Simpson was shot and killed October 23, 1951, while arresting an escaped inmate near Petersburg.
1910 -1951
Trooper Porter was killed June 20, 1950, in a plane crash near Allmonds Wharf while on a mission as an observer.
1928 -1950
Trooper Thomas, pilot, was killed June 20, 1950, in a plane crash near Allmonds Wharf while on a Department mission.
1917 -1950
Trooper Caldwell was killed June 17, 1948, near Newport News, in a motor vehicle crash that occurred while he was in pursuit of a traffic violator.
1922 -1948
Trooper Andrews succumbed October 3, 1946, to injuries he received in a motor vehicle crash three days earlier in Nottoway County.
1920 -1946
Trooper Flippen, on a military leave of absence, was reported killed in action February 7, 1945, in World War II.
1917 -1945
Trooper Miller, on a military leave of absence, was reported killed in action January 20, 1945, in World War II.
1904 -1945
License Examiner Hagerman, on a military leave of absence, was reported missing in action March 18, 1944.
1918 -1944
Trooper Tinsley was killed September 5, 1942, in a motor vehicle crash which occurred west of Roanoke on Route 11.
1911 -1942
Trooper Mayo succumbed February 19, 1941, to injuries he suffered in a motor vehicle crash that occurred two days earlier in Hampton.
1911 -1941
Sergeant Maynard succumbed September 9, 1939, to injuries suffered earlier while responding to the assistance of a resident near Abingdon.
1899 -1939
Sergeant Puckett died March 28, 1938, from pneumonia contracted while pursuing and arresting a murder suspect in Southwest Virginia.
1892 -1938
Trooper Thompson was shot and killed September 23, 1935, while attempting to arrest three bank robbers in Fluvanna County.
1902 -1935
Trooper Bullock succumbed February 15, 1934, to injuries received in a motorcycle crash near Fairfax several months earlier.
1908 -1934
Inspector Belt succumbed August 18, 1930, to injuries received in a motorcycle crash several days earlier in Loudoun County.
1883 -1930
Inspector Wood was killed March 11, 1929, in a crash with an intoxicated driver while patrolling on his motorcycle in James City County.
1898 -1929
Inspector Via succumbed January 11, 1929, to injuries received while serving as an escort for President Coolidge near Waynesboro.
1890 -1929
Inspector Hatcher succumbed August 19, 1928, to injuries received while attempting to arrest a murder suspect in Culpeper County.
1902 -1928
Artists who have provided portraits for the gallery are Gertrude K. Russi, Frank S. Rowley, Jr., George H. Ben Johnson, Thomas Allen Belt, James E. True, Elizabeth Nottingham (Day), G. Watson James, Jr., Pierre Daura, Adele Clark, James F. Banks, Hugo Stevens, Greta Matson, Belle Worsham, Jewett Campbell, R. Vernon Hunter, Walter Whitehead, Helen Schuyler (Hull) Bailey, E. Wray Bernicchi, John D. Slavin, Charles Ingle, Jeanne Begien Campbell, Beatrice T. Klein, Marie Whitehurst, Milton Hull, Robert Simmons Fuller, Virginia W. Harrison, Eloise W. Atkinson, Donald Edward Poore, and Merrily C. Johnstone.