Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable Sheppard was shot and killed when he and the town sergeant of Stuart, Virginia, attempted to stop a stolen car. The car had been confiscated during a prohibition investigation and had been stolen from the county garage the previous night.
The two officers stopped the vehicle and as Constable Sheppard attempted to arrest the occupants, he was shot. The town sergeant was shot in the chest and seriously wounded when he went to Constable Sheppard's aid.
Five men were arrested in connection with Constable Sheppard's murder. The man, 25, who fired the shots was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. Another was convicted of murder and sentenced to 40 years. Two brothers were also sentenced; one to 30 years and the other to 35 years for their parts in the shootings and theft of the vehicle. The fifth suspect was convicted of accessory after the fact and sentenced to 2.5 years. On February 14, 1933, the one sentenced to 30 years was convicted of the attempted murder of the town sergeant and got another 13 years added to his sentence.
Your heroism and service is honored today, the 79th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.
Rest In Peace
Phyllis Loya Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05 December 30th, 2011
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Constable Sheppard served with the Patrick County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Stuart community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Sheppard.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable Robert Bunyan Sheppard 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 Patrick County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 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. Robert Bunyan Sheppard's cause is highlighted.
How Robert Bunyan Sheppard Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Bunyan Sheppard is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert Bunyan Sheppard was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Patrick County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
