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Incident
Chief of Police Penwood Cherrywell died as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile crash while returning from a law enforcement training graduation at Lord Fairfax Community College in Middletown. He was involved in the crash at the intersection of Route 655 and Route 522 approximately one mile north of Front Royal, Virginia. He had been involved in the accident that killed Chief of Police Maynard Cubbage the previous year. Chief Cherrywell had served with the Stanley Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Chief of Police Cherrywell gave the Stanley Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Stanley community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Cherrywell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Stanley Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Penwood is one of 203 officers lost to accidents in VA, 31.1% of the 653 remembered there.
Penwood is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Penwood 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 1978, 2 officers in VA were lost to accidents, the 32nd heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1870, with 10.
In 1978, 78 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 30th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1978, 101 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 18th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Penwood was 50. Of the 192 lost to accidents in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 45; the middle age was 36. Penwood had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Penwood was 50. 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. Penwood had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Penwood was 50. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Penwood had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 10.3% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 12.8%. Fridays: 16.7%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 15.1%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Stanley Police Department, the 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
Stanley Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Penwood among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Stanley Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
