James Flint

Buena Vista Police Department — Buena Vista, VA

Felonious

End of Watch August 21, 1921

Age 43

The Vigil Panel 41 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 3

Incident

Patrolman James Flint was stabbed to death at about 10:00 pm while attempting to arrest a man who had escaped from the Virginia State Penitentiary in Richmond, Virginia. Patrolman Flint learned the man was at a tent revival at the Buena Vista Pentecostal Holiness Church and went to the location to serve the arrest warrant. He placed the man in custody and began to walk him to jail when several of the escapee's family members intervened. They began to struggle with Patrolman Flint and the man's father stabbed him several times, severing an artery in his torso. Patrolman Flint was taken to a local doctor's office but died approximately 90 minutes later. The escapee, his father, and his stepmother were arrested and charged in connection with Patrolman Flint's murder. Patrolman Flint was not a regular member of the Buena Vista Police Department but was filling in for a full-time officer who was on vacation.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and seven children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-VA-9F0D0C7E
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.
Patrolman Flint 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, Patrolman Flint.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Buena Vista Police Department

Location Buena Vista, VA

Platform Identity bvpd.buenavista.va.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 21, 1921

Age 43

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Edged weapon; Knife

Offender Charged with murder

Patrolman James Flint 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.

Buena Vista Police Department

of 4 officers

75% Felonious

VA — Statewide

395

of 654 officers

60.4% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious