Prev
Incident
Officer Allen Gibson was shot and killed after confronting two male suspects in the midst of a drug deal while on foot patrol in a wooded area behind the Waverly Village Apartments at 600 Amherst Lane in Waverly. Upon confronting the suspects, a struggle ensued, and Officer Gibson was shot once in the abdomen with his own weapon. The round struck the edge of his bullet-proof vest. He was taken to a hospital where he succumbed to his wound. One suspect who shot Patrolman Gibson was arrested the following day, and the second suspect was later arrested. The prosecutor struck a plea bargain with the two suspects, who were originally charged with capital murder, against Patrolman Gibson's family's wishes. On Dec. 8, 1999, the shooter pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. The second suspect pleaded guilty to acting as an accessory after the fact and was sentenced to 5 years in prison. In 2002, both suspects were tried in federal courts and convicted of the drug offense that led to Officer Gibson's murder. Both men were sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole. In 2025, President Joseph Biden granted both men clemency, to be released in July 2025. Officer Gibson had served with the 6-person Waverly Police Department for only 2 months and had a total of 2 years of law enforcement experience.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and 8-year-old daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnhjf0scsrw2dn2tb0mz- 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 Allen. Claim this record.
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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Gibson gave the Waverly Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Waverly community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Gibson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Allen is the only officer of Waverly Police Department remembered here.
Allen is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
Allen is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Allen 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 1998, 3 officers in VA were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 1998, 78 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 89th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1998, 80 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 91st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Allen was 25. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Allen had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Allen was 25. 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. Allen had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Allen was 25. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Allen had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 5.6% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Saturdays: 16%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Waverly Police Department. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.2% of all 653 deaths in VA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 7.4% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Waverly Police Department are honored on badge.nw.