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Incident
Sergeant Earl Heisler was shot and killed while checking on a suspicious vehicle behind the Ramada Inn West, on Route 60. He was checking the area due to recent burglaries at the nearby Stratford Hall Apartments. As he checked the hotel parking lot he observed three people sitting in the vehicle. As he spoke to the occupants, he observed a bag of marijuana on the backseat of the car. During the subsequent search, the vehicle's driver grabbed Sergeant Heisler's service weapon and shot him in the face. The man fled the state but was later apprehended and returned to Virginia. He was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison. He was paroled in March 2018.
Survivors
Sergeant Heisler was survived by his wife, two sons, and a daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Heisler gave the James City County Sheriff's Office 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Williamsburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Heisler.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Earl is the only officer of James City County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Earl is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
Earl is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Earl is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1978, 2 officers in VA were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 1978, 121 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1978, 135 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Earl was 37. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Earl had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Earl was 37. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Earl had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Earl was 37. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Earl had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Tuesdays: 13%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at James City County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.2% of all 653 deaths in VA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 7.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 32-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from James City County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.