Officer Daniel Eaker
End of Watch
November 11, 1995
Daniel Eugene Eaker served in the Armed Forces prior to becoming a
police officer. After four years serving his country in the U. S.
Navy, Daniel Eaker decided to continue serving his fellow man as a
Chesapeake Police Officer.

Officer Eaker was appointed as a Chesapeake Police Officer on
February 1, 1983. He began his career in the Uniform Patrol
Section of the Department. He was soon transferred to the
Identifications Unit as a crime scene technician.

Officer Eaker also volunteered to serve in the Chesapeake Police
Department's Underwater Search and Recovery Team.

With the conversion of the Identification Unit's crime scene
technicians to civilian employees, Officer Danny Eaker was assigned
back to the Uniform Patrol Section.

On November 4, 1995, shortly before 5:00 AM Officer Danny Eaker
pulled off of George Washington Highway near Ballahack Rd onto
a gravel area leading to a boat ramp. He had just cleared up from a
call and was parked off the roadway to finish paperwork related
to the prior call.

The driver of a northbound tractor-trailer combination saw the police
car and stopped the rig for assistance from Officer Eaker.
Because of the narrow roadway, almost nonexistent shoulders and
large deep ditches, the truck driver was unable to pull the truck
off the road. The truck driver waved for Officer Eaker, who walked
over to the truck cab.

After speaking to the truck driver, who wanted to make a report,
Officer Danny Eaker stepped back off the truck steps and onto the
road. A Southbound car, driven by a 66 year old male, struck Officer
Daniel Eaker. The car, a Buick, went into a ditch after striking
Officer Eaker. The driver was injured and was taken to Sentara
Norfolk General Hospital by Nightingale helicopter ambulance. A
passenger in the Buick had minor injuries.

Officer Daniel E. Eaker was pronounced dead at the scene.

The area of roadway where the fatal accident occurred is very dark
with no street lights and with the headlights of the tractor trailer, it
is believed that the driver of the Buick was unable to see Officer
Eaker in the road until it was too late to avoid striking him.

During his career, Officer Danny Eaker received numerous letters of
commendation from citizens and the Department for his
outstanding performance. Officer Danny Eaker was survived by his
wife, Monica Eaker, and one daughter, Vanessa.