Roll of Honor
Incident
Justice of the Peace John Saunders and Deputy Sheriff Joseph Welton were shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man involved in a string of burglaries in the Emporia area.
The two men and a citizen had tracked the group of suspects to a cabin near Skippers, Virginia.
As Justice Saunders and Deputy Welton entered the cabin one of the suspects immediately opened fire, killing Deputy Welton. Justice Saunders returned fire and turned to retreat but was shot in the back of the head and killed. The citizen who had accompanied them retreated and went to get help.
The shooter and another suspect were captured a short time later and taken to the county jail. The Virginia State Militia was sent to protect the prisoners for fear of lynching but was withdrawn by order of the governor. The county sheriff then turned the two prisoners over to the citizens and they were both lynched.
Justice Saunders was survived by his wife and several children.
Survivors
Justice Saunders was survived by his wife and several children.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-VA-F8E12EFB- Stewardship
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- 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.
Justice of the Peace Saunders served with the Greensville County Circuit Court.
Thank you for your service to the Emporia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Justice of the Peace Saunders.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Justice of the Peace John W. Saunders 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. John W. Saunders's cause is highlighted.
How John W. Saunders Compares
Offender Outcome
Lynched by mob
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John W. Saunders is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John W. Saunders was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.