Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Bernard Puryear and Police Officer Malcolm Tuck, of the Clarksville Police Department, were shot and killed while raiding a still three miles east of Clarksville. Both officers were transported to a hospital in Oxford, North Carolina, where they succumbed to their wounds. The suspect was originally sentenced to death, but the sentence was overturned by the Supreme Court of Appeals. He was sentenced to 20 years at a second trial.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-66335E2A- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Bernard. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Puryear served with the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Boydton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Puryear.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Bernard A. Puryear, Sr. 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 Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Bernard A. Puryear, Sr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Bernard A. Puryear, Sr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 20 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Bernard A. Puryear, Sr. is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Bernard A. Puryear, Sr. was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
