Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Walter Combs was shot and killed while placing a prisoner into his automobile.
He had arrested the man for public drunkenness and was preparing to take him to jail when a second man approached and shot him six times. Deputy Combs was taken to Dickenson County Hospital, in Clintwood, where he succumbed to his injuries early the following morning.
Both men involved in the shooting fled into the woods pursued by a large posse. The subject who shot Deputy Combs surrendered the sheriff. He was convicted of Deputy Combs' murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Deputy Combs had served with the Dickenson County Sheriff's Office for only four months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-FE427FF4- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Combs served with the Dickenson County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Clintwood community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Combs.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Walter H. Combs 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 Dickenson County Sheriff's Office, 7 of 7 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. Walter H. Combs's cause is highlighted.
How Walter H. Combs Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Walter H. Combs is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Walter H. Combs was killed by handgun; .32 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Dickenson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
