Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Donald Benson succumbed to a gunshot sustained the previous day when he was shot as he and another deputy attempted to serve a court order for an emergency mental health evaluation. As the two deputies approached the suspect's home in the Litwalton section of the county, the man opened the door and fired a .25 caliber handgun, fatally wounding Sergeant Benson. The other deputy returned fire and wounded the suspect in the abdomen. The man was taken into custody and committed to a state hospital. Sergeant Benson had served with the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-EF480C58- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Benson gave the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Lancaster community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Benson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant Donald C. Benson, Sr. 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 97,756 officers honored here.
In VA, 394 of 655 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.2% of this state's fallen. That is 60.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Lancaster County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 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. Donald C. Benson, Sr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Donald C. Benson, Sr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Donald C. Benson, Sr. is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Donald C. Benson, Sr. was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Lancaster County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
