Slain officer honored at award ceremony

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - Norfolk's finest men and women in blue were recognized Wednesday night at the Norfolk Police Department award ceremony.

The chief spotlighted the achievements of sworn and unsworn officers. There was a special presentation for Dawn Decker, widow of Officer Victor Decker, who was shot and killed last year.

The award for Decker recognized his actions in the line of duty on March 19, 2009 in downtown Norfolk, according to the Norfolk Commonwealth's Attorney's Office.

On that day, he was on bike patrol when he heard gunshots. As he neared the corner of Plume Street and Bank Street in response to the shots fired, he saw two men running toward him.

One of the men fired a gun at Officer Decker. Once the man's gun fired, Decker returned fire and the man was fatally wounded. Officer Decker then approached the men, secured them, and called for assistance.

Officer Decker's death on October 26, 2010, in an unrelated incident prevented him from being able to appear in court to testify in the jury trial of the surviving suspect charged with the attempted robbery and fatal shooting of the man sitting in his car.

However, the Norfolk Commonwealth's Attorney said Decker's actions in the line of duty, as documented by other sources, still enabled a successful prosecution to occur and the man was convicted and sentenced.

Officer Decker's killer remains at large.

A candlelight vigil honoring Officer Decker is scheduled for Saturday at 8 p.m. at Town Point Park in downtown Norfolk.