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Incident
Game Warden John Shank died as the result of complications of injuries sustained the previous day when he fell into May's Branch, near Eagle Rock, Botetourt County, while investigating reports of fishing out of season.
He was climbing a small cliff when a tree gave way and he fell into the water eight feet below. A man who had been accompanying him pulled him from the water and revived him after about 15 minutes of being unconscious. He was taken to his home where he died the following day after developing double pneumonia.
Warden Shank had served with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries for at least 10 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons, two sisters, and three grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Game Warden Shank gave the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Henrico community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Game Warden Shank.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources has lost 11 officers; 4 of them lost to accidents.
John is one of 203 officers lost to accidents in VA, 31.1% of the 653 remembered there.
John is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
John is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1932, 2 officers in VA were lost to accidents, the 32nd heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1870, with 10.
In 1932, 110 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1932, 121 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 3rd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
John was 70. Of the 192 lost to accidents in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 45; the middle age was 36. John had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 70. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. John had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 70. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. John had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 5.4% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 12.8%. Mondays: 10.8%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.4%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 36.4% of all 11 deaths at Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.1% of all 653 deaths in VA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources has 11 officers remembered here, John among them.
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Charles Franklin Headley
Feb 8, 1924
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Joseph J. Powell
Dec 16, 1924
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Frank Hatchett Gilliam
Apr 28, 1929
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Harvey M. Carter
Sep 2, 1930
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John Lee Cox
Jun 28, 1931
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John Franklin Shank
Mar 21, 1932
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Frank M. Tompkins
Nov 1, 1934
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Cecil Bernis Bays
Nov 27, 1952
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Francis Edward Lindsay
Mar 10, 1960
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Allen Cooke Flippo
Dec 19, 1972
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Donald Wyatt Gentry
Dec 19, 1972
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources are honored on badge.nw.
