Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I was a Shore Patrol petty officer stationed on USS Enterprise at the Newport News shipyard in January of 1970. I patrolled Newport News on a port and starboard schedule, which means 3 days on two off two days on three off. I was assigned to the police station downtown, and pretty much took care of inebriated sailors. I remember all the shore patrol Petty officers were indeed very much shocked at the tragic death of Officer Nesbitt. It is interesting to note that the USS El Paso was being built at the Newport News ship yard at the same time I was on shore patrol duty. My hometown is El Paso Texas.

ATR-2 David J. Ferrell
United States Navy

February 20, 2022

I was involved in the investigation of the Officer Wallace Earl Nesbitt's death as a NNPD Detective. Lt. Harry Martin made the arrest of the suspect. The entire Police department was present when we all learned of the shooting.
Earl was a dear friend and trained many officers in the Traffic Division. He was a motorcycle officer when he was killed. I was pleased to hear that his son went on to be a Newport News Police Officer, I am sure Earl would have been proud. The Newport News Fraternal Order of Police bears his name to this date. Richard T Chance

Private Investigator/former NNPD Det.
Was member of NNPD

April 27, 2020

Earl was a good friend to my younger brother. Our father had died when Glenn was 12, with only women at home he needed someone to talk to. Earl was that person. His death was a deep loss to my brother. Tonight as I heard of NPN losing an officer, I was remembering Earl and found this site. My sympathy to the city and her family.

Juanetta (Daniel) Walker
Sister of a friend

January 23, 2020

Rest In Peace Brother in Blue. Thank you Hero and your family for your sacrifice and service. Always remembered.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret.)
Upland Police Dept. CA

January 8, 2020

Patrolman Nesbitt,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-snot just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served during the Vietnam War. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

January 8, 2020

Rest in peace Officer Nesbitt.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 18, 2019

God bless your family. I worked with Earl on the NNPD Was on duty date of his murder.

Former homicide detective
NNPD. Licensed PI VA

May 22, 2018

Thank you for serving in our military and police department. God bless you and your family.

John Haseltine - Civilian

February 21, 2016

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 42nd anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Your memory will always be honored and revered. I pray for aolace for all those who love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. I am sure that you are proud that you son contined your legacy of protecting and serving.


Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

January 8, 2012

Officer Wallace Earl Nesbitt was a friend of mine and a brother. I was on duty the date this incident occured and partiscipated in the arrest of the suspect. Lt. Harry Martin made the arrest after pursuing the suspect into
another jurisdiction. Officer Nesbitt was a fine police officer that trained new officers in the traffic bureau and
was a devoted family man. I often think about him and was glad to hear his son pursued a law enforcement career with the Newport News Police Department. May God bless his family and he will always be in the hearts of us that knew him.

Former Police Homicide Detective
Newport News Police Dept

October 14, 2009

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

April 3, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

January 2, 2008

May you continue to rest in eternal peace. You Brother will never be forgotten.......

Senior Officer D. W. Reichhardt
Waverly, Virginia Police Department

January 8, 2007

I WAS AN OFFICER WITH THE NPN PD WHEN THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED. I AM NOW RETIRED AND STILL THINK OF OFFICER NESBITT. MAY GOD REST HIS SOLE.

SUPERVISOR SPECIAL AGENT G. W. SWEENEY
DEPT OF TRANS GVT POLICE DEPT

December 21, 2006

Although it is nearly 33 years since this senseless and tragic loss was suffered upon all of us in Blue, Officer Nesbitt sacrafice is not forgotten. To those of you who knew hin and now carry his torch we will be thinking of you and stand by you always. Hoping that time has healed some of the pain.

Chief of Police Olen M. Young
Wauneta Police Dept

December 16, 2003

Officers of the Newport News Police Dept. never forget their own no matter how much time has past. Rest in peace and we thank you for serving your city and paying the ultimate price for our freedom.

Officer M. A Cooper
Newport News Police Dept.