In an act of selfless courage, 40-year-old Norfolk Police Officer William Henry Burtt was shot and killed on February 3, 1998, while attempting to protect a woman from her estranged husband. The male officer, a nine-year veteran of the force, was off duty at the time of the fatal encounter in Virginia Beach. He had befriended the woman, who worked in his patrol district, and was helping her run errands.
The situation escalated when the woman's estranged husband appeared and tried to
kidnap her. Officer Burtt intervened, exiting his van and attempting to draw his service weapon to defend the woman. Before he could react further, the suspect opened fire, striking the officer multiple times. The assailant then fled the scene in Officer Burtt's van.
Following the shooting, a manhunt ensued for the suspect. The search concluded two days later when the man surrendered to authorities. He was subsequently charged in connection with the murder of Officer Burtt. The legal process moved forward, and the suspect was ultimately convicted of murder and several other related charges for his actions that day.
