NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) – “If you ever saw her, all she did was smile.”
That’s how Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew remembers 24-year-old Katie Thyne. The young officer was tragically killed in the line of duty the evening of Jan. 23. Assigned to the South Precinct, she had responded to a call for drug activity on 16th Street. During a traffic stop, the driver took off, dragging Officer Thyne. She died from her injuries. The driver was arrested after a foot pursuit.
As part of her devotion to the police department, she was incredibly active in the community. Thyne was the mother of a 2-year-old daughter and also leaves behind her mother, stepfather, three brothers and a loving partner.
Memorials are growing for Officer Thyne at both the Newport News Police Headquarters and at the site of the deadly incident.
There has also been an outpouring of condolences from the community.
