Roll of Honor
Incident
Guard Walter Snow was shot and killed when he was attacked by an inmate during an escape attempt from a work crew assigned to Convict Camp 8 in Orange County. The inmates were working on a road construction project on Route 15 near the Culpeper County line.
The inmate, along with six others, had planned to escape by using the noise of the road making machinery to prevent the guards from hearing them. Guard Snow confronted the men as they escaped but was struck on the head with a hammer and knocked unconcious. One of the inmates then took his rifle and shot him in the abdomen.
Guard Snow was taken to the University of Virginia Hospital where he died later that night.
The inmates fled into the woods toward Culpeper. The inmate who planned the escape was captured quickly. The other inmates were captured over the next two days. The inmate who planned the escape and the inmate who shot Guard Snow were both sentenced to death. One was executed on April 4th, 1922, and the other was executed on May 26th, 1922.
Walter, On today, the 100th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the state of California. There is no tougher job in Law Enforcement than that of a Corrections Officer.
R.I.P. USBP
Anonymous United States Border Patrol March 1st, 2021
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-0B3233AC- 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.
Guard Snow served with the Virginia State Convict Road Force.
Thank you for your service to the Richmond community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Guard Snow.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Guard Walter E. Snow 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 Virginia State Convict Road Force, 5 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Walter E. Snow's cause is highlighted.
How Walter E. Snow Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Walter E. Snow is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Walter E. Snow was killed by officer's rifle.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Virginia State Convict Road Force are honored on badge.nw.
