Petersburg Bureau of Police, Virginia
End of Watch: Sunday, July 18, 1943
Age: 45
Tour of Duty: 15 years
Badge Number: 7
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: July 18, 1943
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Pardoned in 1952
Patrol Officer Robert Hatchell was shot and killed with his own weapon following a brief vehicle pursuit of a stolen vehicle.
The stolen car went over an embankment near the back of the old Petersburg Hospital and the driver fled on foot. Officer Hatchell had chased the man into a ravine and was bringing him back up to Washington Street when the man was able to disarm and shoot him.
Two passengers in the car identified the driver who was later arrested and charged with Officer Hatchell's murder. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. On October 13th, 1945, his sentence was commuted to life. Later evidence surfaced that pointed to the suspect's innocence. The two passengers, who at the time of the incident said they hitched a ride with the suspect, could no longer be located. He was pardoned by Governor John Battle on December 23rd, 1952.
Officer Hatchell had served with the Petersburg Police Department for 15 years. He was survived by his wife, three children, and three sisters.