Roll of Honor
Incident
Lieutenant William Oyler was shot and killed while responding to a report of shots fired into a house at Locust Avenue and 33rd Street. When he arrived at the scene, he was shot in the neck by a person who was hiding in a wooded area next to the house. Lieutenant Oyler had not even exited his cruiser when he was shot. The shooter was convicted of murder and sentenced to 53 years in prison.
Survivors
Lieutenant Oyler is survived by his wife, son, and three daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-9883B76A- 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.
Lieutenant Oyler served with the Buena Vista Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Buena Vista community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Oyler.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Lieutenant William Douglas Oyler 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 Buena Vista Police Department, 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. William Douglas Oyler's cause is highlighted.
How William Douglas Oyler Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 53 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Douglas Oyler is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Douglas Oyler was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Buena Vista Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
