Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Christopher Ray was killed in an automobile accident as he and his FTO were responding to a fight call in Newsoms at 5:20 am.
A tree had fallen across General Thomas Highway, approximately one mile west of Shady Brook Trail, during an overnight storm. The patrol car swerved to avoid the fallen tree and went off the road, striking another tree. Deputy Ray, who was the passenger, suffered fatal injuries.
Deputy Ray had served with the Southampton County Sheriff's Office for only three months.
Rest in peace Deputy Sheriff Ray.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis January 22nd, 2025
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BO-US-VA-C80D911B- Stewardship
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- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Ray served with the Southampton County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Courtland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Ray.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Christopher Darby Ray is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In VA, 203 of 654 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 31% of this state's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Christopher Darby Ray's cause is highlighted.
How Christopher Darby Ray Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Christopher Darby Ray is highlighted in Aug.