Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer John Jones was shot by a boobie trapped shotgun in a local shoe store on North Main Street.
Officer Jones was on night patrol when he noticed the door to the shop was partially ajar. When he opened the door to investigate, he was struck by a blast from a shotgun that had a string connecting the trigger to the door.
The owner of the store told investigators that he had set up the boobie trap to catch burglars who attempted to break into the store. The man was not charged in connection with Officer Jones' murder but was escorted out of town.
Officer Jones had served with the Danville Police Department for 6 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-A35E48D6- 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.
Police Officer Jones served with the Danville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Danville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Jones.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer John P. Jones 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%.
At Danville Police Department, 3 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John P. Jones's cause is highlighted.
How John P. Jones Compares
Offender Outcome
Not charged
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John P. Jones is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John P. Jones was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Danville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
