Retired Virginia Beach Police Chief loses battle with cancer
May 19, 2009 | VACP
The VACP is saddened to report that Retired Virginia Beach Chief Charles R. Wall passed away Monday night, May 18, 2009, after a courageous battle with cancer. Chief Wall served as President of the VACP from August, 1996 – August, 1997.
Funeral services will be held Friday, May 22 in Virginia Beach.
Chief Wall retired from the Virginia Beach Police Department in August of 1999, after 18 years of dedicated service, and, along with his wife, Marion, lived in Virginia Beach. During his long law enforcement career, beginning in 1958, Chief Wall served as the Chief of Police for Morgantown, WV, Rockville, MD, and Washington Township, NJ. Chief Wall also served as a staff consultant for the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP.)
Under his leadership the Virginia Beach Police Department received its first national accreditation in 1987, at that time being one of only 25 cities nationwide to achieve this distinction. During his tenure, the Police Department was one of the first City departments to implement a microcomputer local area network, E-911 emergency telephone reporting that displays a caller’s telephone number and address, and became the first municipality to use both mobile and portable KDT technology in a public safety operation. Chief Wall continued the expansion of the 800MHz radio system, the Department’s Automated Fingerprint Identification System was recognized as one of the best in the Commonwealth, established the Fourth Precinct in the Kempsville area and a police substation in Creeds, established the Selective Enforcement Team to apprehend drunk drivers, and implemented the Family Trauma Unit to investigate sexual and physical assault cases involving children and family members.
During his tenure as Virginia Beach’s Police Chief, Chief Wall was responsible for establishing Crime Solvers and the Mounted Patrol. He was a proponent of community policing, school resource officers, and increasing training standards for all officers.
In 1981, when he became Police Chief, the Virginia Beach Police Department’s sworn complement was 397. By the time he retired in 1999, Chief Wall commanded 777 sworn officers. During that time, the Department was aggressive in pursuing federal funding for sworn personnel, and was one of the first departments in the nation to be awarded grant funds through the U. S. Department of Justice COPS Office in 1993 for 28 officers. Grants totaling more than $8 million for about 120 officers were awarded for additional sworn personnel under his tenure as chief. Under his watch, Part I crimes dropped from 56.3 crimes per 1,000 population to 38.5 crimes per 1,000 population.
From 1986 – 1997 Chief Wall served on the Board of Directors of Crime Stoppers International, Inc. Following his retirement, he remained an active Board Member of Virginia Beach Crime Solvers.
In memory of Chief Wall, Virginia Beach police officers will have their badges draped through the day of his memorial service.
There will be two viewing sessions on Thursday, May 21, from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. and from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., at Smith and Williams Funeral Home, 4889 Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, May 22, at 2:00 p.m. at the Church of the Ascension located at 4853 Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach. A graveside service will follow at Colonial Grove Memorial Park, Princess Anne and Dam Neck Roads.
The family has asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Virginia Beach Crime Solvers, Inc.
Virginia Beach Crime Solvers, Inc. Dan Edwards, Treasurer 1513 Beachview Drive, Virginia Beach 23464
Cards of sympathy may be sent to:
Mrs. Marion Wall C/O The Virginia Beach Police Department 2509 Princess Anne Road, Building #11 Virginia Beach, VA 23456
Please keep Chief Wall and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
