Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Louis Wilmeth was accidentally shot and killed when his revolver fell from its holster and discharged.
The accident occurred as he was cleaning a drain at the city reservoir.
Patrolman Wilmeth had served with the Buena Vista Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-003CBD02- 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.
Patrolman Wilmeth gave the Buena Vista Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Buena Vista community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Wilmeth.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Louis Donnel Wilmeth 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.
At Buena Vista Police Department, 1 of 4 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 25% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Louis Donnel Wilmeth's cause is highlighted.
How Louis Donnel Wilmeth Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Louis Donnel Wilmeth is highlighted in Jul.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Buena Vista Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
