Roll of Honor
Jonathan Elkanah "Caney" Boyd
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Caney Boyd was shot and killed inside the Russell County Sheriff's Office jail in Lebanon, Virginia, while he and another deputy booked another prisoner who had been arrested for drunk driving and possession of a firearm.
Deputy Boyd was shot five times during the booking process. The other deputy stated that the prisoner had gained control of his service weapon and shot Deputy Boyd. The prisoner maintained that Deputy Boyd was murdered by the other deputy who offered to help the prisoner if the man admitted to the shooting. The prisoner was acquitted of murder.
The following year the other deputy was arrested after shooting a Virginia State Police trooper during a traffic stop in Dickenson County, Virginia. Deputy Boyd's wife then sued the deputy for $30,000 claiming he was responsible for his murder. The first civil trial ended in a mistrial. The deputy was cleared in a second trial.
Deputy Boyd had served with the Russell County Sheriff's Office for 15 years and had previously served with the Virginia State Police.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-66C16E70- 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 Boyd gave the Russell County Sheriff's Office 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Lebanon community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Boyd.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Jonathan Elkanah "Caney" Boyd 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 Russell County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 3 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. Jonathan Elkanah "Caney" Boyd's cause is highlighted.
How Jonathan Elkanah "Caney" Boyd Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jonathan Elkanah "Caney" Boyd is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Russell County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
