Roll of Honor
Archer Thomas Belcher
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Archer Belcher succumbed to injuries inflicted one month earlier when he was beaten by three inmates while overseeing a work crew of the Virginia State Convict Road Force in Chesterfield County.
He was taken to Petersburg Hospital where he remained until succumbing to the injuries.
One of the subjects was shot and killed during his arrest. The other two were convicted of his murder and sentenced to death. They were both executed by electrocution on June 14th, 1912.
Deputy Belcher served with the Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office and supervised a state prison crew as part of an agreement between the county and state.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and ten children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-9F30BFBF- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Archer. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Belcher served with the Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Chesterfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Belcher.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Archer Thomas Belcher 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. Archer Thomas Belcher's cause is highlighted.
How Archer Thomas Belcher Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1912
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Archer Thomas Belcher is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Archer Thomas Belcher was killed by blunt object.