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Frankie Lynn Betterton
Incident
Deputy Frankie Betterton was shot and killed while making a traffic stop on US Highway 58 near Danville, Virginia, at approximately 2:30 p.m.
Deputy Betterton had two vehicles pulled over at this traffic stop. One vehicle was being driven by a male, and the other vehicle was driven by his girlfriend. After letting the girlfriend go, Deputy Betterton had the male sit in his patrol car.
The male, who was seated in the passenger seat, produced a .380 caliber handgun and shot Deputy Betterton once in the head. The male fled the scene but was apprehended the following morning at approximately 5:30 a.m. The male was charged and convicted of capital murder, and the jury recommended the death penalty, but the judge instead sentenced the male to life in prison.
Deputy Betterton had been employed with the Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office for three years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- 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. Air Force. One record, 2 gates. Frankie is one person.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Betterton gave the Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chatham community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Betterton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Frankie Lynn Betterton served in the U.S. Air Force (1982â1983) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office has lost 8 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Frankie is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
Frankie is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Frankie 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 2002, 1 officer at Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 2002, 1 officer in VA was killed feloniously, the 92nd heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 2002, 73 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 96th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2002, 77 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 95th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Frankie was 43. Of the 4 killed feloniously at Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 41.3 and 51.5; the middle age was 46. Frankie had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 18 years.
Frankie was 43. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Frankie had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Frankie was 43. 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. Frankie had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Frankie was 43. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Frankie had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 20% of these deaths at Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office; January holds the most, 40%. Fridays: 20%.
May holds 9.2% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Fridays: 12.7%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 62.5% of all 8 deaths at Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .380 caliber, 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 handgun; .380 caliber, in 0.5% 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; .380 caliber, in 0.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .380 caliber, in 0.1% of these deaths.
His people
Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office has 8 officers remembered here, Frankie among them.
Military Service
Frankie Lynn Betterton served in the U.S. Air Force (1982–1983) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Frankie Lynn Betterton’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 64-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
