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Eric Evine Sutphin
Incident
Corporal Eric Sutphin was shot and killed while participating in a massive manhunt for an escaped prisoner who had shot and killed a hospital security guard the previous morning.
The killer had overpowered a deputy after being taken to Montgomery Regional Hospital for leg injuries. He was able to obtain control of the deputy's service weapon and then shot and killed the unarmed hospital security guard who had attempted to assist the deputy.
After the killer fled from the scene, he was the subject of a massive manhunt. Corporal Sutphin was shot and killed when he encountered the killer near the head of the Huckleberry Trail in Blacksburg.
Officers apprehended the killer approximately 8 hours later, where he was hiding in a briar patch approximately 150 yards from where he shot Corporal Sutphin. The killer was charged with two counts of capital murder and other charges for both killings. On March 11th, 2008, the suspect was convicted of Corporal Sutphin's murder and was subsequently sentenced to death. He was executed on July 6th, 2017.
On May 9th, 2003, Corporal Sutphin was shot and wounded after being the first officer to arrive at an officer down call in which Officer Scott Hylton of the Christiansburg Police Department was shot and killed. The shooter had opened fire on Corporal Sutphin as he arrived at the scene. Corporal Sutphin returned fire as the shooter fled and then pursued him, along with two other responding officers. The shooter was shot and killed by Corporal Sutphin and the other officers after firing at them.
Corporal Sutphin received the Commonwealth of Virginia's Medal of Valor award for his actions in stopping the assailant.
Corporal Sutphin had served in law enforcement for 13 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and twin daughters.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Corporal Sutphin gave the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Christiansburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corporal Sutphin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Eric Evine Sutphin served in the U.S. Army (1984â1991) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Eric is the only officer of Montgomery County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Eric is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
Eric is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Eric 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 2006, 6 officers in VA were killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 2006, 72 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 98th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2006, 77 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 95th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Eric was 40. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Eric had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Eric was 40. 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. Eric had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Eric was 40. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Eric had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 9.4% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Mondays: 13.2%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Montgomery County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was 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 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.
Where
Military Service
Eric Evine Sutphin served in the U.S. Army (1984–1991) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Eric Evine Sutphin’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 31-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
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