Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Michael Chandler was shot and killed while performing a welfare check at a vacant home in the 2500 block of Orr Street.
Officer Chandler was flagged down by a citizen at about 4:00 am who asked him to check on a person who was inside of the home. When he arrived on the scene, he encountered a subject and was shot. A deputy with the Wise County Sheriff's Office located Officer Chandler in a ditch along the home's driveway. He was transported to Norton Community Hospital and then flown to Johnson City Medical Center in Tennessee where he succumbed to his wounds at about 7:00 pm.
The subject who shot him was arrested in Kingsport, Tennessee, at about 8:00 pm after being located at a motel by members of state, local, and federal law enforcement officers. It was determined the man was wanted for probation violations in Wise County, Virginia, as well as in South Carolina.
The incident occurred on Officer Chandler's 29th birthday. In addition to serving with the Big Stone Gap Police Department, he also served as a volunteer with the Big Stone Gap Fire Department.
Faithful Unto Death | Eternal Rest | Salute
S. I. Drake - Lt/IPD | IMPD (Ret) July 16th, 2022
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-F32711E6- 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.
Police Officer Chandler served with the Big Stone Gap Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Big Stone Gap community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Chandler.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Michael D. Chandler 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 Big Stone Gap Police Department, 3 of 3 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. Michael D. Chandler's cause is highlighted.
How Michael D. Chandler Compares
Offender Outcome
In custody
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Michael D. Chandler is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Michael D. Chandler was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Big Stone Gap Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
