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Incident
Patrolmen Claudius Irvin and Raymond Chapman were killed in an automobile crash at the intersection of U.S. Highway 11 and Monroe Street at 3:00 p.m. As the two officers were responding to a call, a tractor-trailer jack-knifed due to the rain-slick road, killing them both instantly. Patrolman Irvin had served with the Wytheville Police Department for seven years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, daughter, son, his mother, two sisters, and three brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Patrolman Irvin gave the Wytheville Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Wytheville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Irvin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Wytheville Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Claudius is one of 203 officers lost to accidents in VA, 31.1% of the 653 remembered there.
Claudius is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Claudius is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1963, 3 officers in VA were lost to accidents, the 12th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1870, with 10.
In 1963, 58 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 77th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1963, 67 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 79th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Claudius was 35. Of the 192 lost to accidents in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 45; the middle age was 36. Claudius had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Claudius was 35. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Claudius had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Claudius was 35. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Claudius had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 10.3% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 12.8%. Sundays: 12.3%.
August holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 14%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Wytheville Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.1% of all 653 deaths in VA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Wytheville Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Claudius among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 22-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Wytheville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
