Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief of Police William Davies was killed in an automobile crash while responding to a call. He was in Harrisonburg meeting with the Commonwealth's Attorney when he was notified of an emergency in Grottoes, approximately 16 miles away. As he responded along Route 256, approximately one-half mile east of Weyers Cave, he lost control in rainy weather and struck a guard rail on the driver's side door. Chief Davies had served with the Grottoes Police Department for 13 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-F1D3B5AB- 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.
Chief of Police Davies gave the Grottoes Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Grottoes community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Davies.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police William R. Davies is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In VA, 203 of 654 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 31% of this state's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William R. Davies's cause is highlighted.
How William R. Davies Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. William R. Davies is highlighted in Jul.