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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Bernard Puryear and Police Officer Malcolm Tuck, of the Clarksville Police Department, were shot and killed while raiding a still three miles east of Clarksville. Both officers were transported to a hospital in Oxford, North Carolina, where they succumbed to their wounds. The suspect was originally sentenced to death, but the sentence was overturned by the Supreme Court of Appeals. He was sentenced to 20 years at a second trial.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Puryear served with the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Boydton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Puryear.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Bernard is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
Bernard is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Bernard is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1929, 7 officers in VA were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 1929, 205 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1929, 206 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Bernard was 56. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38.
Bernard was 56. 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.
Bernard was 56. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 10.4% of these deaths in VA, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.2%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.2% of all 653 deaths in VA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 9.4% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Bernard among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 23-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
