Roll of Honor
Bill Hugh Broadwell
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Bill Broadwell was shot and killed when he and another deputy went to a home near Hoge's Store to search for a suspect wanted for assault. The homeowner, who was not the wanted subject, opened fire on the deputies with a shotgun, killing Deputy Broadwell. The homeowner was arrested and taken out of the county by the Virginia State Police to protect him from an angry mob of citizens. The 30-year-old man was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 15 years in prison. Deputy Broadwell was a United States Navy World War II veteran.
Survivors
He was survived by three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-4E670DBD- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Broadwell served with the Giles County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Pearisburg community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Bill Hugh Broadwell served in the Other (1944â1946) before joining law enforcement.
Deputy Sheriff Bill Hugh Broadwell 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Bill Hugh Broadwell's cause is highlighted.
How Bill Hugh Broadwell Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 15 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Bill Hugh Broadwell is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Bill Hugh Broadwell was killed by shotgun; 12 gauge.