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Incident
Guard Forest Benton was shot and killed while supervising a convict work crew at a camp along present-day Route 29 near New Baltimore, Fauquier County.
The convict road camp trusty attacked Guard Benton, disarmed him, and then shot him three times with his own service weapon. The prisoner escaped but was shot and wounded before being arrested several days later. He was convicted of Guard Benton's murder in September 1912 and sentenced to 18 years in prison.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Guard Benton served with the Virginia State Convict Road Force.
Thank you for your service to the Richmond community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Guard Benton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Virginia State Convict Road Force has lost 9 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Forest is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
Forest is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Forest 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 1912, 2 officers at Virginia State Convict Road Force were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1912, 7 officers in VA were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 1912, 133 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1912, 135 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Forest was 28. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Virginia State Convict Road Force whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 35; the middle age was 30.
Forest was 28. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38.
Forest was 28. 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.
Forest was 28. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
April holds 20% of these deaths at Virginia State Convict Road Force; December holds the most, 20%. Fridays: 40%.
April holds 5.6% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Fridays: 12.7%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 55.6% of all 9 deaths at Virginia State Convict Road Force, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 20% 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.
His people
Virginia State Convict Road Force has 9 officers remembered here, Forest among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Virginia State Convict Road Force are honored on badge.nw.
