Roll of Honor
Thomas Edward Drawbond
Incident
Location: Virginia Weapon: Shotgun Offender: Executed in 1909
Night Watchman Thomas Drawbond was shot and killed from ambush while patrolling the Norfolk and Western Railroad tracks approximately south of Vesuvius, Rockbridge County, Virginia, in an area known as Cedar Ridge Cut.
He was on foot, checking the railroad bridges along the South River when he was shot from behind by a subject armed with a shotgun. The man then stole Watchman Drawbond's service revolver and personal belongings before placing his body on the railroad tracks. His body was discovered early the next morning after it had been struck by two different trains.
The man who shot him was arrested, convicted of murder, and sentenced to death. He was subsequently executed in the electric chair on September 24th, 1909.
Watchman Drawbond had served with the Norfolk and Western Railroad Police Department for several years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and several adult children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-RR-175B6208- 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.
Night Watchman Drawbond served with the Norfolk and Western Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Roanoke community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Watchman Drawbond.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Night Watchman Thomas Edward Drawbond 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 Norfolk and Western Railroad Police Department, 4 of 4 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. Thomas Edward Drawbond's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas Edward Drawbond Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1909
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas Edward Drawbond is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas Edward Drawbond was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Norfolk and Western Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
