Roll of Honor
Incident
Guard John Howard was shot and killed while supervising a convict work crew near Chatham, Virginia.
One of the inmates had arranged for an accomplice to hide a shotgun in the rock quarry where he was working. After obtaining the gun, he approached Guard Howard from behind. When Guard Howard turned around and saw the armed inmate he reached for his sidearm but was shot and fatally wounded.
The subject took Guard Howard's revolver and rifle and fled. He was eventually apprehended following a long search. He was convicted of Guard Howard's murder, sentenced to death, and executed by electrocution on February 28th, 1913.
Guard Howard was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Guard Howard was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-5853455E- 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.
Guard Howard served with the Virginia State Convict Road Force.
Thank you for your service to the Richmond community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Guard Howard.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Guard John C. Howard 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 Virginia State Convict Road Force, 5 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John C. Howard's cause is highlighted.
How John C. Howard Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1913
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John C. Howard is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John C. Howard was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Virginia State Convict Road Force are honored on badge.nw.
