Roll of Honor
Incident
Guard Forest Benton was shot and killed while supervising a convict work crew at a camp along present-day Route 29 near New Baltimore, Fauquier County.
The convict road camp trusty attacked Guard Benton, disarmed him, and then shot him three times with his own service weapon. The prisoner escaped but was shot and wounded before being arrested several days later. He was convicted of Guard Benton's murder in September 1912 and sentenced to 18 years in prison.
Forest, On today, the 113th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the state of Virginia. There is no tougher job in Law Enforcement than that of a Corrections Officer.
BPA Mike Casey United States Border Patrol(Retired) April 12th, 2025
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-C6D62FA6- 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.
Guard Benton served with the Virginia State Convict Road Force.
Thank you for your service to the Richmond community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Guard Benton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Guard Forest Benton 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 Virginia State Convict Road Force, 5 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Forest Benton's cause is highlighted.
How Forest Benton Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 18 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Forest Benton is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Forest Benton was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Virginia State Convict Road Force are honored on badge.nw.
