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Incident
Private August Pierce was shot and killed by a robbery suspect along the Alexandria-Washington Highway near Four Mile Run. He spotted a 17-year-old juvenile wanted for six robberies in the area and confronted him near the Potomac Yard car barn. A struggle ensued in which the boy drew a .32 caliber handgun and shot Private Pierce multiple times. Despite being mortally wounded, he was able to return fire and fatally wounded the subject. Private Pierce had only served with the Alexandria Police Department for nine months. He was survived by his wife. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
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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Also honored at salute.nw. One record, 2 gates. August is one person.
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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.
Private Pierce served with the Alexandria Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Alexandria community, and 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
August Perault Pierce served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Alexandria Police Department has lost 17 officers; 13 of them killed feloniously.
August is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
August is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
August is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1930, 1 officer at Alexandria Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1930, 7 officers in VA were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 1930, 239 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1930, 241 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
August was 32. Of the 12 killed feloniously at Alexandria Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 29.5 and 40; the middle age was 32. August had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 9 years.
August was 32. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. August had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
August was 32. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. August had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
August was 32. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. August had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 30.8% of these deaths at Alexandria Police Department, more than any other month. Sundays: 46.2%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Sundays: 18.6%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 76.5% of all 17 deaths at Alexandria Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 15.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.2% of all 653 deaths in VA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 25.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Alexandria Police Department has 17 officers remembered here, August among them.
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Elijah Chenault Aug 4, 1823
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Gerrard Arnold Sep 9, 1827
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Julian F. Arnold
May 15, 1887
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George W. Crump Dec 28, 1893
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Walker W. Campbell
Feb 16, 1919
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Elton B. Hummer
Aug 18, 1928
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Charles R. McClary
Jun 20, 1929
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Whitfield W. Lipscombe
Sep 4, 1930
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August Perault Pierce
Sep 7, 1930
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Clarence J. McClary
Mar 17, 1935
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Robert B. Harris
Sep 11, 1948
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Bobby G. Padgett
Feb 4, 1959
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James W. Baber
Oct 19, 1962
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Eugene Yoakum
Sep 27, 1964
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Conrad Lee Birney
Dec 27, 1972
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Charles William Hill
Mar 22, 1989
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Morton Ford
Jun 18, 2011
Where
Military Service
August Perault Pierce served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit August Perault Pierce’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 40-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
16 officers from Alexandria Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
