Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Frank Armstrong was shot and killed as he and the sheriff attempted to serve a lunacy warrant on a man at his home on Sangers Lane, approximately 1-1/2 miles from Jefferson Highway. The subject opened fire, fatally wounding Deputy Armstrong and wounding the sheriff. The Staunton police chief was shot and wounded several hours later as he lead a posse to arrest the suspect. Other posse members returned fire, killing the suspect. Deputy Armstrong had served with the Augusta County Sheriff's Office for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-VA-DD6F25C7- Stewardship
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- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Armstrong gave the Augusta County Sheriff's Office 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Staunton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Armstrong.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Frank Lightner Armstrong 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. Frank Lightner Armstrong's cause is highlighted.
How Frank Lightner Armstrong Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Frank Lightner Armstrong is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Frank Lightner Armstrong was killed by handgun.