Marvin Luther Farmer
Agency patch
Patrolman Chauffeur

Marvin Luther Farmer

Richmond Police Department — Richmond, VA
Felonious
End of Watch July 18, 1942
Tour of Duty 6 yrs
The Vigil Panel 79 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Marvin Farmer was stabbed while attempting to apprehend a prostitute in the 300 block of North 17th Street. He and another officer were on patrol when they observed the prostitute and a male enter an alley. When the officers surprised the two the man fled on foot and the prostitute produced a knife and stabbed Patrolman Farmer. An autopsy revealed Patrolman Farmer died from a heart attack he suffered after being stabbed. The 32-year-old woman was convicted of maliciously wounding an officer and sentenced to five years in prison. Patrolman Farmer had served with the Richmond Police Department for six years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-1746D6DB
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.
Patrolman Chauffeur Farmer gave the Richmond Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Richmond community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Chauffeur Farmer.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Richmond, VA
Platform Identity rpd.richmond.va.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 18, 1942
Tour of Duty 6 yrs
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Edged weapon

Patrolman Chauffeur Marvin Luther Farmer 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 Richmond Police Department, 20 of 40 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

Richmond Police Department
20
of 40 officers
50% Felonious
VA — Statewide
394
of 656 officers
60.1% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Marvin Luther Farmer's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Marvin Luther Farmer Compares

Years of Service
6
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Marvin Luther Farmer is highlighted in Jul.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Marvin Luther Farmer was killed by edged weapon.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Incident Location