Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable Coner Hughes was shot and killed when he encountered a drunk man who was on a shooting rampage in Pennington Gap.
The suspect had started shooting in a pool hall and shot Constable Hughes three times in the chest on a city street after exiting the hall. The man then shot and wounded another man who tried to disarm him. As he passed by a local business he shot and seriously wounded the merchant inside for no reason.
The suspect was arrested a short time later at his home by a state trooper. As the trooper entered his home he tried to kill himself but he had fired all of his bullets.
The suspect, 24, was convicted of Constable Hughes murder and sentenced to 35 years. He was also convicted of two counts of attempted murder and sentenced to 15 years. At some point he was released because he died at his home in Pennington Gap in 1983.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-D8F68FCC- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Coner. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Constable Hughes served with the Lee County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Jonesville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Hughes.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable Coner Flanary Hughes is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In VA, 394 of 656 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.1% of this state's fallen. That is 60.1 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Lee County Sheriff's Office, 6 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Coner Flanary Hughes's cause is highlighted.
How Coner Flanary Hughes Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Coner Flanary Hughes is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Coner Flanary Hughes was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Lee County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
