THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 9, 1995 TAG: 9511090364
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MIKE MATHER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: Short : 46 lines
Dozens of police officers, with badges covered by black bands, began massing at police headquarters around noon near a granite memorial. Like the badges, the police memorial has been draped in black since 12-year veteran Daniel Eugene Eaker was struck and killed by a car Saturday.
Later, Eaker's name will join those of five other Chesapeake and South Norfolk law officers who died in the line of duty. Eaker's name will also be added to a national memorial in Washington.
Eaker was buried at Rosewood Memorial Park in Virginia Beach Wednesday, the first Chesapeake officer in 13 years to die in the line of duty. The last officer killed on duty was Sgt. John H. Cherry, who died Sept. 27, 1982.
Eaker was parked on the side of South George Washington Highway around 5 a.m. to finish paperwork from a previous call when a tractor-trailer pulled over and the driver asked for help. The officer left his car to speak with the driver and was hit by a car traveling the opposite way on the dark, narrow road.
Eaker was appointed to the Chesapeake Police Department on Feb. 1, 1983, after serving four years in the Navy.
He began his career in the uniform patrol section of the department and was transferred to the identification unit as a crime scene technician.
He later returned to the uniform division, where he worked at the time of his death, and was a member of the Police Department's underwater search and recovery unit.
During his career, Eaker received numerous letters of commendation from citizens and the department for his outstanding performance.
Eaker is survived by his wife, Monica, and a daughter, Vanessa.
A memorial fund has been established in Eaker's name by the Chesapeake Fraternal Order of Police.
Donations can be mailed or taken to police headquarters at 304 Albemarle Drive, Chesapeake, 23320. Checks should be made payable to The Chesapeake FOP Lodge No. 9. ILLUSTRATION: Daniel Eugene Eaker
by CNB