Roll of Honor
James Alfred Brent
Incident
Deputy Sheriff James Brent was shot and killed when he, the sheriff, and another deputy responded to a domestic disturbance in which the man was threatening people with a shotgun. Deputies had obtained a lunacy warrant and were attempting to serve it when Deputy Brent was struck by a shotgun blast as he entered the residence in the Morattico section of the county. Deputy Brent was attempting to serve a lunacy warrant in the tiny fishing village of Morattico when he was shot. Three hours later, state and county officers apprehended the suspect after he was flushed out of his home with tear gas. The suspect, 41, was a former mental patient released two years earlier. He was charged with murder and sent to a mental hospital in Petersburg to determine if he was fit to stand trial. Deputy Brent was a United States Army veteran of World War II and had served with the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office for three years. He was survived by his wife, stepchildren, and mother. He is buried at the White Marsh Methodist Church Cemetery, Lancaster, Lancaster County, Virginia.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, stepchildren, and mother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-F0BF6C29- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. James is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Brent gave the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Lancaster community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
James Alfred Brent served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Deputy Sheriff James Alfred Brent is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 officers honored here.
In VA, 394 of 655 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.2% of this state's fallen. That is 60.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Lancaster County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Alfred Brent's cause is highlighted.
How James Alfred Brent Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Alfred Brent is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Alfred Brent was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Military Service
James Alfred Brent served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit James Alfred Brent’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Lancaster County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
