Alex R. Coryell

Virginia City Police Department — Virginia City, NV

Cardiac Veteran

End of Watch June 25, 1891

Age 59

The Vigil Panel 11 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 2

Incident

Watchman Alex Coryell suffered a fatal heart attack shortly after being assaulted by a prisoner at approximately 1:00 am.

Watchman Coryell and another officer had arrested a man for public drunkenness. They encountered the man sleeping on B Street and when they woke him up, the man started to struggle with the officers. They were able to handcuff the man and as they walked him to the jail, the suspect suddenly struck Watchman Coryell in the face with his handcuffed hands, causing his nose to bleed profusely. Another violent struggle ensued and the officers were again able to subdue the man.

After delivering the man to the county jail, the officers began to go out on patrol again when Watchman Coryell suddenly collapsed. His partner went for assistance but by the time he returned, Watchman Coryell had died.

Watchman Coryell had previously served in the Civil War and was survived by his wife. He is buried in the Volunteer Fire Department Section of the Silver Terrance Cemeteries in Virginia City, Storey County, Nevada.

Survivors

Watchman Coryell had previously served in the Civil War and was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NV-75556FD3
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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Watchman Coryell served with the Virginia City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Virginia City community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Virginia City Police Department

Location Virginia City, NV

Platform Identity vpd.storey.nv.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 25, 1891

Age 59

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Cardiac

Military Service

Alex R. Coryell served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Watchman Alex R. Coryell is one of 1,306 officers lost to cardiac events in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 4% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In NV, 9 of 145 officers were lost to cardiac events in the line of duty — 6.2% of this state's fallen. That is 2.2 percentage points above the national rate of 4%.

At Virginia City Police Department, 1 of 3 officers on record were lost to cardiac events in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.

Virginia City Police Department

of 3 officers

33.3% Cardiac

NV — Statewide

of 145 officers

6.2% Cardiac

Nationwide

1,306

of 32,508 officers

4% Cardiac