Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Shawn Hess was killed in a vehicle accident while responding to a call to backup an officer from the Richlands Police Department at approximately 5:30 am.
He was driving westbound on U.S. Route 460 when his patrol car left the road, struck a guard rail and went down a ravine, causing him to suffer fatal injuries.
Deputy Hess had served with the Tazewell County Sheriff's Office for seven years.
Thank you for your service and today we take the time to remind you and your family that your sacrifice is one that will never, ever be forgotten. Rest in peace always.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo Delaware State Police (Retired) July 23rd, 2020
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-48F953D7- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Hess gave the Tazewell County Sheriff's Office 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tazewell community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Hess.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Shawnelle Hess 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 Tazewell County Sheriff's Office, 1 of 3 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Shawnelle Hess's cause is highlighted.
How Shawnelle Hess Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Shawnelle Hess is highlighted in Jul.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Tazewell County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
