Roll of Honor
Robert Chapman "Chap" Osborne
Incident
Officer Robert Chapman Osborne was shot and killed while attempting to search a car for whiskey in Richlands.
As he approached the car, he exchanged shots with one of the occupants. Officer Osborne was struck in the head and killed instantly.
Officer Osborne, who had lost his left arm in a mining accident many years earlier, had served as the county's prohibition officer for 5 years, and had a total of 19 years in law enforcement.
It's shocking to me that nobody has wrote a reflection for officer osborne in over 15 years. Just to make sure he isn't entirely forgotten, i'll pay my respects. Officer Osborne, i'm sorry for what happened to you that day many years ago, as your death wasn't needed. However, since this happened in the 1920s and your killer was acquited, i'm sure he is suffering in the afterlife because he is most likely deceased by now, which means that karma caught up to him. Also, i can tell you were a strong man, because you spent nearly 20 years in law enforcement while losing your left arm, meaning you had that in you. Other than that, i'm sure you're resting peacefully in the afterlife, and that your killer has died aswell, as of this year. Rest Well Mr. Osborne
Morgan, a civilian supporter of the blue line May 12th, 2025
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-D4706F40- 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.
Prohibition Officer Osborne gave the Tazewell County Sheriff's Office 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tazewell community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Prohibition Officer Osborne.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Prohibition Officer Robert Chapman "Chap" Osborne 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 Tazewell County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert Chapman "Chap" Osborne's cause is highlighted.
How Robert Chapman "Chap" Osborne Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Chapman "Chap" Osborne is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Tazewell County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
