Roll of Honor
Incident
Justice of the Peace John Saunders and Deputy Sheriff Joseph Welton were shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man involved in a string of burglaries in the Emporia area.
The two men and a citizen had tracked the group of suspects to a cabin near Skippers, Virginia.
As Justice Saunders and Deputy Welton entered the cabin one of the suspects immediately opened fire, killing Deputy Welton. Justice Saunders returned fire and turned to retreat but was shot in the back of the head and killed. The citizen who had accompanied them retreated and went to get help.
The shooter and another suspect were captured a short time later and taken to the county jail. The Virginia State Militia was sent to protect the prisoners for fear of lynching but was withdrawn by order of the governor. The county sheriff then turned the two prisoners over to the citizens and they were both lynched.
Justice Saunders was survived by his wife and several children.
Survivors
Justice Saunders was survived by his wife and several children.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-VA-F8E12EFB- Stewardship
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- 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.
Justice of the Peace Saunders served with the Greensville County Circuit Court.
Thank you for your service to the Emporia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Justice of the Peace Saunders.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Justice of the Peace John W. Saunders 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John W. Saunders's cause is highlighted.
How John W. Saunders Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John W. Saunders is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John W. Saunders was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Greensville County Circuit Court are honored on badge.nw.