Roll of Honor
Incident
Guard Dabney Slayden was shot and killed by former inmates of Convict Camp 13, on Courthouse Road in Chesterfield County, during a robbery attempt.
Guard Slayden, who lived in a cottage on the grounds of the prison camp, was found suffering six gunshot wounds just outside the door of his cottage. It was later determined that several former inmates who were familiar with Guard Slayden had gone to the cottage with the intention of robbing him. He was shot as he put up a struggle in an effort to resist the robbery.
Three men were arrested and charged with Guard Slayden's murder. One subjecct, 30, was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. The remaining two, 21 and 23, were convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 20 years each.
Guard Slayden was an employee of the Virginia Department of Highways and had been deputized as a guard on the Virginia State Convict Road Force. He was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII.
Dabney, On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just as a aLaw Enforcement Officer but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Army during WW II. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
R.I.P. USBP
Anonymous United States Border Patrol December 4th, 2020
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-VA-6B59537E- Stewardship
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- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Guard Slayden served with the Virginia State Convict Road Force.
Thank you for your service to the Richmond community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Dabney Slayden served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Guard Dabney Slayden 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. Dabney Slayden's cause is highlighted.
How Dabney Slayden Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Dabney Slayden is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Dabney Slayden was killed by handgun; .22 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Virginia State Convict Road Force are honored on badge.nw.
