Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Walter Willis was shot and killed while raiding a still near Willis Gap. He was approaching the still when he was shot in the back by a suspect armed with a .22 caliber rifle.
Deputy Willis crawled one-half mile to a nearby house, where he died a short time later. Before passing away he was able to identify the suspect. The man, 22, was arrested a short time later. In one of the quickest trials in Virginia's history he was convicted six days later of murder and sentenced to life.
Deputy Willis was survived by his wife, four sons, two daughters, father, and brother.
Survivors
Deputy Willis was survived by his wife, four sons, two daughters, father, and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-5C978602- 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 Willis served with the Patrick County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Stuart community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Willis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Walter W. Willis 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 Patrick County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Walter W. Willis's cause is highlighted.
How Walter W. Willis Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Walter W. Willis is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Walter W. Willis was killed by rifle; .22 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Patrick County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
