The Virginia Beach community honored Carnegie Hero Ryan Keith Cox with two permanent tributes on consecutive days in May.
The first dedication took place May 30 at New Hope Baptist Church, where Cox had been an active member. Family, friends, and fellow church members gathered to dedicate the Ryan Keith Cox Memorial Hall and celebrate the lasting legacy of his sacrifice.
Seven years earlier, on May 31, 2019, the 50-year-old Cox died while saving several coworkers from an armed assailant. A city employee entered the Virginia Beach municipal building where Cox worked and opened fire as he moved among the building’s floors.
As employees scattered in search of safety, one group encountered Cox. He instructed them to enter the nearest office and barricade themselves inside. Although the employees urged Cox to take shelter with them, he refused, telling them that he had to help others.
After closing the door, the coworkers moved a file cabinet against it. The assailant soon arrived outside the office, shot and killed Cox, and then fired at the door, striking the file cabinet. He continued his attack until responding police wounded and apprehended him. He died that evening.
Authorities safely evacuated the employees who had sheltered inside the office. Cox was among 12 people killed by the assailant.
The Carnegie Hero Fund posthumously awarded Cox the Carnegie Medal for sacrificing his life to save his coworkers.
“We thank God for those who survived, and we honor the sacrifice of our own brother, Ryan Keith Cox, who gave up his life so that others may live,” Pastor Keith Hughes said at the dedication.
Hughes then quoted John 15:13: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
That same verse encircles the outer edge of every Carnegie Medal.
Those who attended the ceremony shared stories about Cox, describing a generous man who remained consistent in his beliefs and in the way he lived.
“Keith was just a quiet, amazing soul,” said Tina Garfield, who attended Princess Anne High School with Cox. “Smiled. Just did his work. Went about his business. No drama. I just absolutely loved everything about him and his smile every day at school, along with his brother Ervin.”
Garfield established the Ryan Keith Cox Scholarship in his honor. The scholarship benefits Black male seniors at Princess Anne High School. Garfield said the announcement of the memorial hall, combined with the efforts of Cox’s family and support from the community, helped increase the scholarship award from $500 to $1,000.
Tara McGee, one of the coworkers Cox saved, spoke about her friend’s sacrifice and how she no longer views herself simply as a survivor. She said she now strives to live as an inspiration rather than remain “still or stuck” in what happened that day.
“That’s what the enemy would want for me—to be still or stuck, so that I wouldn’t realize my destiny,” McGee said. “But the man that risked it all for me and you … the man that answered the call when I prayed, ‘Lord, send us an angel of protection,’ wouldn’t want that for me or any of us.”
Toward the end of the ceremony, Pastor Michael Keyes formally affirmed the church’s decision to name the hall for Cox and spoke about the profound impact Cox had on those who knew him.
“Effective as of our last conference, the place that you are sitting now will forever be known as the Ryan Keith Cox Memorial Hall in honor of our brother and our friend,” Keyes said.
“Keith was more than just a name in a headline that was all over. He was more than just a victim of senseless and ruthless violence. Keith was a man of character, one of kindness, one of dedication, and one that had a big, big, big heart.”
The following day, city leaders, survivors, victims’ families, and community members gathered for the opening of the public 5/31 Memorial, which honors the 12 people killed, survivors, first responders, and others affected by the tragedy.
The 1.3-acre memorial park includes a granite wall marked with 12 lifelines, one representing each person killed. Paths lead visitors through the wooded site to a reflecting pool, a survivors’ grove, a glade bearing the victims’ names, and the Hero Tree, which honors first responders and others who risked their lives to help.
Some landscaping, permanent fixtures, and other finishing work remained incomplete when the memorial opened for the anniversary ceremony.
Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer told 13News Now that the memorial fulfilled a promise made to those affected by the shooting.
“This is a tribute to all the people that lost their lives,” Dyer said. “We made a commitment seven years ago that we would honor these people in perpetuity.”
The survivors’ grove also contains decorated memorial rocks created during the first days after the shooting.
Survivor Kelly Mills spoke during the ceremony and emphasized the unity she felt throughout the Virginia Beach community.
“Before now, we were all scattered along our journey,” Mills said in a video captured by WAVY-TV 10. “Today, we are reunited, and we are now truly VB Strong.”
Cox’s family was also present for the unveiling. His brother, Ervin Ray Cox Jr., and their mother, Maxine Cox, walked the memorial path with other family members and found Cox’s name near the reflecting pool.
They then continued toward the Hero Tree, taking in a permanent tribute to Cox, the others who died, and those who demonstrated extraordinary courage in trying to protect and save others.
Seven years after Cox refused safety because he believed he had to help others, the two memorials ensure that his life—and his final act of sacrifice—will remain part of the community he served.
–Griffin Erdely, Communications Assistant
