Roll of Honor
Incident
Special Patrolman Francis Blair was shot and killed as he and a deputy sheriff attempted to arrest a man wanted for shooting a policeman in Wise County, Virginia, several days earlier.
As the two officers approached the house the suspect was in, the man opened fire.
Patrolman Blair was shot and instantly killed while the deputy was severely wounded. Despite the wound, the deputy was able to return fire and kill the suspect.
Patrolman Blair had previously served with the United States Marshals Service. He was killed on his 36th birthday.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-ACBB25DD- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Special Patrolman Blair served with the Whitesburg Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Whitesburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Patrolman Blair.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Patrolman Francis M. Blair is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Francis M. Blair's cause is highlighted.
How Francis M. Blair Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Francis M. Blair is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Francis M. Blair was killed by gun; unknown type.