Incident
Trooper Warren Harless was shot and killed in the Big Hill area of Lee County while assisting deputies with an arrest. The subject had confronted several hunters at gunpoint and stole their rifles after they came onto his property. When deputies and troopers arrived at the man's home he fled into the nearby hills and fired shots at them for almost 12 hours. Trooper Harless was shot towards the end of the standoff when the man fled back into his home. The suspect was shot and wounded before being taken into custody. The suspect, 60, was adjudged insane and committed at Southwestern State Mental Hospital where he died on March 20, 1994.
Survivors
Trooper Harless was survived by his three sons.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-VA-7757D59D- Stewardship
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- 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.
Trooper Harless served with the Virginia State Police.
Thank you for your service to the people of Virginia. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Harless.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Trooper Warren Yokely Harless 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 Virginia State Police, 19 of 52 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 36.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Warren Yokely Harless's cause is highlighted.
How Warren Yokely Harless Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in mental hospital
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Warren Yokely Harless is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Warren Yokely Harless was killed by rifle; .30-.30.
Incident Location
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