Officer William Henry Burtt, 40, was shot and killed on February 3, 1998, in Virginia Beach while trying to protect a woman from her estranged husband. Burtt, a nine-year veteran of the Norfolk Police Department, was off duty and helping the woman run errands when the husband appeared and tried to kidnap her. Burtt exited his van and attempted to draw his service weapon; the suspect opened fire, striking him multiple times. The assailant then fled in Burtt’s van.

A manhunt began after the shooting and ended two days later when a man surrendered to authorities. He was charged in connection with Burtt’s murder and later convicted of murder and several related charges. Any readers who knew Officer Burtt or the people involved, or who have information about the case, are asked to come forward.