HAMPTON, Va. — The city of Hampton paid tribute to fallen Newport News police officer Katie Thyne by lighting City Hall and the Convention Center buildings in blue Friday night.
In a tweet and Facebook post, Hampton said "Our hearts are broken for the Newport News community."
Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew said the "days will be challenging" after Officer Thyne was killed in the line of duty on Thursday, January 23, 2020.
Thyne died after a car dragged her about a block before it crashed into a tree and pinned her. The car had been pulled over in a traffic stop.
Police said the driver, Vernon Green II, took off while Thyne was caught in the driver's side door. Thyne died at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital from her injuries.
Fellow officers will be part of a procession on Saturday to carry her body from the medical examiner’s office in Norfolk to Altmeyer Funeral Home in Newport News.
Donations to help her family can be made through the Newport News Police Foundation. One hundred percent of the money will go to the family.
Officer Thyne was from New Hampshire. She graduated from the police academy last year before joining the Newport News Police Department. She worked in the South Precinct.
She also served in the Navy and remained a member of the Navy Reserves while she was a police officer.