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Incident
Marshal Gordon Lunsford was shot and killed as he and a Lawrence County deputy attempted to arrest a man on a peace warrant in the Corryville area of Lawrence County. The two officers were fired on by the suspect when they arrived at his house. The deputy was wounded in the shoulder, head, and leg, but was able to return fire along with Marshal Lunsford. The subject retreated into his house and then shot at Marshal Lunsford, striking him in the head, killing him. The 52-year-old man, who had been wounded in the arm, was arrested in West Virginia as he attempted to make it to a hospital across the state line. He was convicted of Marshal Lunsford's murder and sentenced to life in prison on July 6th, 1951. He was denied release in 1958.
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Marshal Lunsford served with the Chesapeake Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chesapeake community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Marshal Lunsford.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Chesapeake Police Department has lost 3 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Gordon is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 remembered there.
Gordon is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Gordon is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1951, 4 officers in OH were killed feloniously, the 47th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 17.
In 1951, 65 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 113th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1951, 69 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Gordon was 40. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38.
Gordon was 40. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Gordon was 40. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
June holds 6.8% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 9.6%. Sundays: 12.4%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Chesapeake Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.6% of all 993 deaths in OH, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Chesapeake Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Gordon among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 45-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Chesapeake Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
