Roll of Honor
Incident
Policeman William Campbell succumbed to wounds he received when he was shot and killed by a subject wanted for malicious shooting and bootlegging on April 29, 1908.
Not realizing they had located the man, the three officers engaged him in conversation. As the man began to walk away, a boy who had been accompanying the officers informed them the man was who they were looking for.
When the officers called out to the man to halt, he immediately began to run away. One of the officers fired at the man, who continued to run. When the man reached the top of the street, he turned around and shot at the officers, striking Policeman Campbell in the abdomen.
Policeman Campbell was taken to his home, where his condition worsened until he succumbed to the wound on July 2, 1908.
The shooter was able to flee and remained at large for six years. He was finally arrested in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in January 1914. He was returned to Virginia, where he was convicted of Policeman Campbell's murder and sentenced to 7 years in prison. He was killed by return fire after killing Assistant Chief Thomas Church of the Johnson City Police Department, West Virginia, in 1928.
He was survived by his wife and children.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-1E3B89A8- 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.
Policeman Campbell served with the Bristol Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Bristol community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman Campbell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Policeman William F. Campbell 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 Bristol Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William F. Campbell's cause is highlighted.
How William F. Campbell Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 7 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William F. Campbell is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William F. Campbell was killed by handgun; revolver.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Bristol Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
