Roll of Honor
Incident
Town Sergeant John Yost succumbed to head injuries sustained several months earlier when he was assaulted by two brothers whom he was taking to the town jail. As they neared the jail the brothers broke several pickets off of a fence and beat him over the head.
The two brothers were convicted of charges related to his death and sentenced to serve 1 year on the county road force and fined $500 each.
The exact date in April on which Town Sergeant Yost was attacked is not known.
Town Sergeant Yost had served with the agency for 7 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, six daughters, and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-A3741A46- 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 Yost gave the Richlands Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Richlands community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Town Sergeant Yost.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Town Sergeant John Mosley Yost 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 Richlands Police Department, 2 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Mosley Yost's cause is highlighted.
How John Mosley Yost Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 1 year
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Mosley Yost is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Mosley Yost was killed by person.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Richlands Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
