Roll of Honor
Incident
Town Sergeant Daniel Littrell was shot and killed while he and a sheriff's deputy were investigating bootleggers.
The officers had just stopped a car near the town line on the turnpike between Big Stone Gap and Appalachia. They arrested two brothers and a woman in the car after one of them drew a pistol on the officers. While they were searching the car a policeman from Appalachia rode up in a buggy and interfered with the arrest. The policeman then shot Town Sergeant Littrell in the back and exchanged shots with the deputy. The deputy returned fire, and both were wounded.
The man who shot Town Sergeant Littrell was arrested after returning to Appalachia. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Town Sergeant Littrell had served with the Big Stone Gap Police Department for only eight months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 10 children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-95E91B35- 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.
Town Sergeant Littrell served with the Big Stone Gap Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Big Stone Gap community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Town Sergeant Littrell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Town Sergeant Daniel Webster Littrell 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 Big Stone Gap Police Department, 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. Daniel Webster Littrell's cause is highlighted.
How Daniel Webster Littrell Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 20 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Daniel Webster Littrell is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Daniel Webster Littrell was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Big Stone Gap Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
