On Saturday, October 8, 2005, Michael Kevin Saffran, a 45-year-old White male, died in the line of duty as a Chesapeake Police Officer. A U.S. Navy veteran, Saffran had been with the police department for 11 months.
The tragic events unfolded when Officer Saffran responded to a bank robbery in Chesapeake, Virginia. Upon arrival, he witnessed a vehicle speeding away from the scene and initiated a pursuit.
The fleeing vehicle eventually crashed at the intersection of Highway 17 and Yadkin Road. As Saffran and other officers approached the crashed vehicle, the suspect, identified as 43-year-old Larry D. Blount, emerged with a female hostage.
In a moment of chaos, the hostage managed to break free, prompting an exchange of gunfire between Blount and the officers. During the shootout, both Officer Saffran and the female hostage were struck by bullets. The suspect, Larry D. Blount, was shot and killed at the scene.
Officer Saffran was transported to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries. The female hostage was also taken to the hospital for treatment. As the sole suspect was killed during the incident, no further arrests were made in connection with the case. The investigation concluded that Officer Saffran was killed in the line of duty while heroically attempting to apprehend a dangerous criminal.
