Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable Will Coward was shot and killed with his own service weapon while arresting a man creating a disturbance at a church on Route 57, near Chatham.
As Constable Coward made the arrest, two other men walked up behind him. One of the men grabbed Constable Coward's revolver from its holster and then handed it to the second man. The second man then shot Constable Coward in the back. The man then shot him four more times in the back as he laid on the ground. Constable Coward's 12-year-old son witnessed the murder.
The suspect fled the scene but was arrested the following day at his father's home. He was convicted of murdering the officer and sentenced to death. He was executed in the electric chair on December 15th, 1939. The accomplice was sentenced to 20 years.
Constable Coward was survived by his two sons.
Survivors
Constable Coward was survived by his two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-135F345D- 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.
Constable Coward served with the Pittsylvania County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Chatham community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Coward.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable William M. "Will" Coward 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%.
At Pittsylvania County Constable's Office, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William M. "Will" Coward's cause is highlighted.
How William M. "Will" Coward Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1939
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William M. "Will" Coward is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William M. "Will" Coward was killed by officer's handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Pittsylvania County Constable's Office are honored on badge.nw.
