Crews search for leads in officer death

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - Virginia Beach police officers and recruits searched an area behind the Target store off of First Colonial Road for leads in Officer Victor Decker's death Wednesday afternoon.

Officer Decker's body was found along the side of the road in Virginia Beach Tuesday morning, police confirmed to WAVY.com.

The Medical Examiner has ruled the case a homicide.

According to Public Information Officer Adam Bernstein, a passerby called 911 after discovering the body at around 7:15 a.m. in the 400 block of Oceana Boulevard in Virginia Beach.

Detectives and forensics investigated the scene for hours Tuesday. Oceana Boulevard was closed to northbound traffic between Bells Road and First Colonial Road while crews searched for answers.

Investigators say Decker, 25, was shot. His body was taken to the Medical Examiner's Office to determine an exact cause of death.

Norfolk Police Department spokesman Chris Amos said he and other Norfolk officers and supervisors were stunned to hear that Officer Decker had been found dead. "Shock, just shock," said Amos, who works at the Police Administration Building downtown. "Officer Decker worked downtown in the Green Sector, so we saw him all the time. He was just down here with his wife and his new baby, showing off his baby girl."

Members of the Virginia Beach Police Department say their hearts go out to Norfolk Police in their time of grief.

Officer Decker joined the Norfolk Police Department in October, 2006.

WAVY.com has learned Decker was one of seven Virginia officers who received the 2009 VACP/VPCF Award for Valor . In March 2009, Officer Decker was on bike patrol when he confronted two armed men wanted for a robbery and deadly shooting. One of the suspects fired at Officer Decker several times. He returned fire, hitting one of the suspects. That suspect later died.

There is no motive for Officer Decker's death at this time, according to Virginia Beach police.

He leaves behind a wife and infant daughter.

Anyone with information about this crime is encouraged to call the Virginia Beach Crime Solvers Office at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP. Callers remain anonymous and are eligible for a cash reward.