Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Herbert Boelte was shot and killed while he, another deputy, and a citizen attempted to arrest a murder suspect at his home near Scottsburg.
When the men entered the home the man opened fire with a double-barrelled shotgun, instantly killing Deputy Boelte.
The man was able to escape after forcing the citizen to drive him from the scene. He was eventually apprehended after a huge manhunt. He was convicted of Deputy Boelte's murder and sentenced to death after his initial death sentence was overturned by the Virginia Supreme Court. He was executed on April 12, 1940.
Deputy Boelte had served with the Halifax County Sheriff's Office for 10 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-28CA62C0- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Herbert. 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.
Deputy Sheriff Boelte gave the Halifax County Sheriff's Office 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Halifax community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Boelte.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Herbert August Boelte 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 VA, 395 of 654 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 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. Herbert August Boelte's cause is highlighted.
How Herbert August Boelte Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1940
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Herbert August Boelte is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Herbert August Boelte was killed by shotgun.