Bernard Trevor Lankford

Richlands Police Department — Richlands, VA

Cardiac

End of Watch November 15, 1962

Age 41

Tour of Duty 8 yrs

The Vigil Panel 98 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 3

Incident

Officer Bernard Lankford suffered a fatal heart attack shortly after being involved in a foot pursuit of a prisoner.

He had arrested a young woman and transported her to the police department's holding cell. The girl fled on foot when he opened the patrol car's door. He pursued her a short distance before subduing her. After taking her to the police station, he became ill. He was transported to a local hospital where he passed away a short time later.

Officer Lankford had served with the Richlands Police Department for eight years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and three children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-VA-55F64DC9
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.
Police Officer Lankford gave the Richlands Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Richlands community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Lankford.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Richlands Police Department

Location Richlands, VA

Platform Identity rpd.tazewell.va.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 15, 1962

Tour of Duty 8 yrs

Age 41

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Cardiac

Police Officer Bernard Trevor Lankford is one of 1,306 officers lost to cardiac events in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 4% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In VA, 25 of 654 officers were lost to cardiac events in the line of duty — 3.8% of this state's fallen.

At Richlands Police Department, 2 of 4 officers on record were lost to cardiac events in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

Richlands Police Department

of 4 officers

50% Cardiac

VA — Statewide

of 654 officers

3.8% Cardiac

Nationwide

1,306

of 32,508 officers

4% Cardiac