Roll of Honor
Incident
Game Warden John Cox was shot and killed while following up on a tip on the Guest River Highway five miles north of Norton.
Warden Cox, who also served as a county policeman for Wise County, was seen turning around to follow a car on the highway. Several minutes later the driver of that car shot him five times before he was able to exit his car or draw his weapon. A passerby drove Game Warden Cox to the hospital in Norton where he was pronounced dead.
The shooter turned himself into the county sheriff the following day. On the day his trial was to begin his case was nolle prossed after the prosecutor stated there was not enough evidence to go to trial.
Game Warden Cox had served in law enforcement for 10 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and seven children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-F9B6ED2B- 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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Game Warden Cox gave the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Henrico community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Game Warden Cox.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Game Warden John Lee Cox is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,586 officers honored here.
In VA, 394 of 654 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.2% of this state's fallen. That is 6.3 percentage points above the national rate of 53.9%.
At Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, 7 of 11 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Lee Cox's cause is highlighted.
How John Lee Cox Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Lee Cox is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Lee Cox was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources are honored on badge.nw.
