Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief Renfro was shot and killed while investigating the sounds of pistol shots near the town's churches. Chief Renfro, who had been walking with his wife, started towards the churches when he encountered two strangers.
As he questioned the strangers he grew suspicious. He was preparing to search them when one of the men produced a pistol and opened fire, fatally wounding him in the chest. He died early the following morning.
Chief Renfro had served with the Dorchester Police Department for several years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-648EC4D9- 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.
Chief of Police Renfro served with the Dorchester Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Norton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Renfro.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police William B. Renfro 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William B. Renfro's cause is highlighted.
How William B. Renfro Compares
Offender Outcome
Apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William B. Renfro is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William B. Renfro was killed by handgun.