Incident
Deputy Sheriff Fred Arnold was shot and killed at his home as the result of a dispute involving a warrant he had been instructed to serve. The subject of the warrant arrived at Deputy Arnold's home with a state policeman with whom she was romantically involved. The state policeman attempted to order Deputy Arnold to surrender the warrant, claiming that the woman had paid a fine to the mayor of Pennington Gap.
When Deputy Arnold refused to relinquish the warrant a quarrel broke out. The state policeman's son and the woman's brother, both of whom had accompanied them to the home, rushed towards Deputy Arnold. Deputy Arnold shot the policeman's son in the leg before being shot and killed by the policeman.
The state policeman and the woman were both convicted of Deputy Arnold's murder and sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Deputy Arnold was survived by his wife, who witnessed the incident.
Survivors
Deputy Arnold was survived by his wife, who witnessed the incident.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-EE05FE11- Stewardship
- 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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Arnold 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, Deputy Sheriff Arnold.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Fred Arnold 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 97,772 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. Fred Arnold Sr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Fred Arnold Sr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Fred Arnold Sr. is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Fred Arnold Sr. was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Lee County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.

