Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy John Mitchell was shot and killed in an ambush after seizing illegal whiskey. Deputy Mitchell had served with the Henry County Sheriff's Office for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-762FC004- 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
You barely got started.
Deputy Sheriff Mitchell gave the Henry County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Martinsville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Mitchell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff John Hughes Mitchell 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 Henry County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Hughes Mitchell's cause is highlighted.
How John Hughes Mitchell Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Hughes Mitchell is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Hughes Mitchell was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Henry County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
