Roll of Honor
Incident
Marshal Gordon Lunsford was shot and killed as he and a Lawrence County deputy attempted to arrest a man on a peace warrant in the Corryville area of Lawrence County. The two officers were fired on by the suspect when they arrived at his house. The deputy was wounded in the shoulder, head, and leg, but was able to return fire along with Marshal Lunsford. The subject retreated into his house and then shot at Marshal Lunsford, striking him in the head, killing him. The 52-year-old man, who had been wounded in the arm, was arrested in West Virginia as he attempted to make it to a hospital across the state line. He was convicted of Marshal Lunsford's murder and sentenced to life in prison on July 6th, 1951. He was denied release in 1958.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-3C85A214- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Gordon. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Marshal Lunsford served with the Chesapeake Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chesapeake community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Marshal Lunsford.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Marshal Gordon Lunsford 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 OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 3.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Chesapeake Police Department, 1 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Gordon Lunsford's cause is highlighted.
How Gordon Lunsford Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Gordon Lunsford is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Gordon Lunsford was killed by shotgun; 12 gauge.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Chesapeake Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
