Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputies William Stiltner and Cameron Justus were shot and killed after responding to assist other deputies who had been fired at by a sniper at the scene of a larceny in progress call.
Two deputies from the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office responded to the call at a car service business in Vansant. When they arrived, they began to search for the suspect when they were shot at from a distance by a suspect with a rifle. Both deputies were able to radio for assistance and crawl to a nearby home and took cover from the sniper.
Deputies Stiltner and Justus, along with members of the Virginia State Police responded to assist. As a perimeter was established to contain and search for the shooter, Deputies Justus and Stiltner were shot and killed by a high-powered rifle.
The suspect fled from a nearby ridge where he had fired from into the woods. He was located standing in front of a nearby house talking on a mobile phone. The suspect was shot and killed after he refused orders to get on the ground and then he drew a handgun on officers.
Deputy Stiltner had served with the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office for seven years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two children, and two grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-0DE2BE2B- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Stiltner gave the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Vansant community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Stiltner.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff William Ezra Stiltner 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 Buchanan County Sheriff's Office, 5 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 83.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Ezra Stiltner's cause is highlighted.
How William Ezra Stiltner Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Ezra Stiltner is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Ezra Stiltner was killed by rifle.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Buchanan County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
