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Cecil Bernis Bays
Incident
Game Warden Cecil Bays was shot and killed in Pound, Wise County, on Thanksgiving night by one of two men who had yelled at him earlier in the evening. The initial encounter and shooting were both unprovoked. The subject was shot and killed a short time later by a Norton policeman. The other subject pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to five years in prison. He was paroled after serving only three years. Game Warden Bays was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of WWII.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtqhek7c8yyvcd57dk6b6- Stewardship
- 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 — U.S. Marine Corps. One record, 2 gates. Cecil 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.
Game Warden Bays served with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.
Thank you for your service to the Henrico 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
Cecil Bernis Bays served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources has lost 11 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Cecil is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
Cecil is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Cecil 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 1952, 1 officer at Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1952, 3 officers in VA were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 1952, 71 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 100th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1952, 74 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 100th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Cecil was 30. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 42; the middle age was 40.
Cecil was 30. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38.
Cecil was 30. 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.
Cecil was 30. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
November holds 28.6% of these deaths at Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, more than any other month. Thursdays: 42.9%.
November holds 7.4% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Thursdays: 16.5%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 63.6% of all 11 deaths at Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 42.9% 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
Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources has 11 officers remembered here, Cecil among them.
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Charles Franklin Headley
Feb 8, 1924
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Joseph J. Powell
Dec 16, 1924
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Frank Hatchett Gilliam
Apr 28, 1929
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Harvey M. Carter
Sep 2, 1930
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John Lee Cox
Jun 28, 1931
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John Franklin Shank
Mar 21, 1932
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Frank M. Tompkins
Nov 1, 1934
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Cecil Bernis Bays
Nov 27, 1952
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Francis Edward Lindsay
Mar 10, 1960
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Allen Cooke Flippo
Dec 19, 1972
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Donald Wyatt Gentry
Dec 19, 1972
Where
Military Service
Cecil Bernis Bays served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Visit Cecil Bernis Bays’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 12-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources are honored on badge.nw.
