
The Newport News Police Department is mourning one of their own – an officer died from her injuries after being dragged by a car during a traffic stop.
Authorities said it happened Thursday at around 6:47 p.m. in the 1400 block of 16th Street.
Police Chief Steve Drew during an emotional news conference Friday identified the officer as Katie Thyne. She was 24 years old.
Thyne pulled over a vehicle there. Police said at some point, the driver of the car “accelerated, dragging the officer.”
The vehicle fled the scene and crashed nearby in the area of 16th Street and Walnut Avenue. The driver, identified as Vernon Green II, was taken into custody after the crash.
He is charged with homicide and disregard of a lawful command.
Thyne was taken to the hospital, where she later died of her injuries.
She has been with the Newport News Police Department since 2018.
Drew said Thyne was a hero and a U.S. Navy veteran who left behind a 2-year-old daughter and a loving partner.