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Incident
Constable Will Coward was shot and killed with his own service weapon while arresting a man creating a disturbance at a church on Route 57, near Chatham.
As Constable Coward made the arrest, two other men walked up behind him. One of the men grabbed Constable Coward's revolver from its holster and then handed it to the second man. The second man then shot Constable Coward in the back. The man then shot him four more times in the back as he laid on the ground. Constable Coward's 12-year-old son witnessed the murder.
The suspect fled the scene but was arrested the following day at his father's home. He was convicted of murdering the officer and sentenced to death. He was executed in the electric chair on December 15th, 1939. The accomplice was sentenced to 20 years.
Constable Coward was survived by his two sons.
Survivors
Constable Coward was survived by his two sons.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Constable Coward served with the Pittsylvania County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Chatham community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Coward.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Pittsylvania County Constable's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
William is one of 15,741 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.2% of the 27,543 remembered there.
William is one of 17,629 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,910 remembered here.
33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1939, 3 officers in VA were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 1939, 82 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 79th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1939, 83 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 85th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 44. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38.
William was 44. Of the 14,215 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
William was 44. Of the 15,849 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
May holds 9.2% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Sundays: 18.6%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Pittsylvania County Constable's Office. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 50% 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 57.2% of all 27,543 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 52% of all 33,910 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Pittsylvania County Constable's Office has 2 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 20-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Pittsylvania County Constable's Office are honored on badge.nw.
