SUFFOLK POLICE BREAK GROUND ON POLICE MEMORIAL SITE
SUFFOLK, VA (May 13, 2026) The Suffolk Police Department is pleased to announce the groundbreaking of a police memorial set to be built outside of Suffolk Police Headquarters at 111 Henley Place.
On May 12, 2026, members of the Suffolk Police Department, along with Suffolk Mayor Michael Duman, Councilmember John Rector, and Suffolk City Manager Kevin Hughes officially broke ground on this project. The groundbreaking also coincides with National Police Week, which runs from May 10 through May 16, 2026.
The memorial will honor Suffolk’s five fallen officers; Officer George T. Smith, Chief William E. Brinkley, Officer Joseph S. Pratt, Officer William Andrew “Drew” Henley, and Sergeant Jose “Joe” R. Rivera. The memorial will serve as a location for members of the department and Suffolk residents to reflect on the ultimate sacrifice these officers made, while giving them a place to honor and remember their lives.
“Having a place that our officers, their families, and our citizens can go to pay tribute to our men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice protecting our city and its citizens is very special,” Suffolk Police Chief James “Danny” Buie said. “This memorial will serve as that special place for our brothers and sisters who gave all.”
This project is funded through Virginia DCJS Forfeited Asset Sharing Program. The memorial is expected to be completed in September 2026.
