Joel A. Legaspi
Incident
Correctional Officer Joel Legaspi suffered a fatal subarachnoid hemorrhage after working mandatory overtime hours at the Indian Creek Medical Center at 801 Sanderson Road in Chesapeake.
During a 14-hour shift, a dough cutter went missing in the kitchen. After an exhausting search, Officer Legaspi complained of a severe headache. When he returned to work the next day, other officers noticed he did not look well, and he was relieved early to go to the doctor. He received pain medication and went home, but his symptoms got worse. After calling in sick, Officer Legaspi passed out and was unable to be resuscitated.
Officer Legaspi was a United States Army National Guard veteran and had served with the Virginia Department of Corrections for over 11 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, mother, three sisters, nephews, and nieces.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtmnt81fva5pxds4cf6y0- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Joel. Claim this record.
Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Joel is one person.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Corrections Officer Legaspi gave the Virginia Department of Corrections 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Virginia. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Joel A. Legaspi served in the U.S. Army (1985â1994) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Illness
Virginia Department of Corrections has lost 16 officers; 2 of them lost to illness.
Joel is one of 23 officers lost to illness in VA, 3.5% of the 653 remembered there.
Joel is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Joel is one of 2,979 officers lost to illness worldwide, 8.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2018, 1 officer in VA was lost to illness, the 4th heaviest of 13 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 8.
In 2018, 56 officers in the United States were lost to illness, the 6th heaviest of 108 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 564.
In 2018, 57 officers worldwide were lost to illness, the 6th heaviest of 197 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 566.
Who
Joel was 50. Of the 22 lost to illness in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 50 and 64; the middle age was 56.5. Joel had served 11.5 years; the middle length of service was 21.5 years.
Joel was 50. Of the 1,996 lost to illness in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 58; the middle age was 51. Joel had served 11.5 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Joel was 50. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. Joel had served 11.5 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
January holds 17.4% of these deaths in VA, more than any other month. Sundays: 4.3%.
January holds 9.5% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Sundays: 14.2%.
January holds 9.9% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Sundays: 13.2%.
How
Illness deaths account for 12.5% of all 16 deaths at Virginia Department of Corrections, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 3.5% of all 653 deaths in VA, the 4th most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 7.4% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 8.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 3rd most common cause.
His people
Virginia Department of Corrections has 16 officers remembered here, Joel among them.
-
Leonard Otoway Page Feb 2, 1906
-
Supra C. Woodroof Feb 29, 1908
-
Powhatan Dance Bass Jun 16, 1936
-
McCarthy Taylor Dec 24, 1957
-
Hilton Edward Bland
Sep 11, 1963
-
James C. Vanneter
Jan 18, 1965
-
Hugh Lucas Johnson
Jan 19, 1965
-
Samuel Anderson Pickels
Jul 23, 1971
-
Raul M. Monte
Nov 22, 1971
-
Ronald Albert Barnes
Mar 24, 1975
-
Henry McCoy Townes, Jr. Jan 6, 1981
-
Rodolfo Felix Guillen, Jr.
Jun 14, 1982
-
Joel A. Legaspi
Jan 21, 2018
-
Wendy Nicole Harris-Rigney
Jun 19, 2020
-
Earl R. Barksdale
Sep 9, 2020
-
Jeremy Lewis Hall
Nov 17, 2025
Where
Military Service
Joel A. Legaspi served in the U.S. Army (1985–1994) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Joel A. Legaspi’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 12-ET
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
15 officers from Virginia Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.









