Roll of Honor
Paul Herbert Salyer
Incident
Park Ranger Paul Salyer was shot and killed while investigating a disturbance at a campsite in Breaks Interstate Park.
The campsite occupants had been involved in a domestic disturbance the previous night. Ranger Salyer was shot when he went to the campsite to check on the occupants.
The suspect was apprehended, found guilty of murder, and sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Ranger Salyer was a United States Navy Korean War veteran. He had served with the Breaks Interstate Park and also held a commission as a part-time deputy with the Dickenson County Sheriff's Office for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, mother, three brothers, and grandmother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-7276F9A8- 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 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.
Park Ranger Salyer gave the Breaks Interstate Park Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Breaks community. Thank you 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
Paul Herbert Salyer served in the Navy (1952â1955) before joining law enforcement.
Park Ranger Paul Herbert Salyer 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Paul Herbert Salyer's cause is highlighted.
How Paul Herbert Salyer Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 15 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Paul Herbert Salyer is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Paul Herbert Salyer was killed by handgun; .32 caliber.