Incident
Officer Yarbrough succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained three days earlier on the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad tracks behind the Richmond Locomotive and Machine Works in Richmond, Virginia.
Officer Yarbrough had been patrolling the area as a result of thefts from box-cars in the previous days.
While walking near a train, a man stepped from behind a box-car and shot Officer Yarbrough in the stomach. The suspect then fled the scene. Several neighbors who heard the shots took Officer Yarbrough to the Virginia Hospital where he died three days later.
Officer Yarbrough received his appointment only 10 months earlier.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three children, mother, and brother.
In Our Keeping
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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
131 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Police Officer Yarbrough served with the Henrico County Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Richmond community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Henrico County Police Department has lost 10 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John 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 1895, 1 officer at Henrico County Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1895, 2 officers in VA were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 1895, 74 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 95th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1895, 77 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 97th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 35. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Henrico County Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 33; the middle age was 32. John had served 0.8 years; the middle length of service was 3 years.
John was 35. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. John had served 0.8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 35. 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. John had served 0.8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 35. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 0.8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 20% of these deaths at Henrico County Police Department; November holds the most, 20%. Saturdays: 20%.
July holds 9.2% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Saturdays: 16%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 10 deaths at Henrico County Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.2% of all 653 deaths in VA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 10.9% 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 gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Henrico County Police Department has 10 officers remembered here, John among them.
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John H. Yarbrough
Jul 6, 1895
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Lewis Ray Beddow
Sep 8, 1946
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Wellford Early Green
Dec 22, 1948
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Jerry Edwin Trimmer
Aug 15, 1966
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Barry Wayne Maham
Aug 8, 1978
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Donald A. Stillman
Nov 8, 1984
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John Patrick Harris
Aug 19, 1994
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William Herman Edwards, III
Feb 2, 1998
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Andre Gerard Booker
Jan 12, 2003
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Trey Marshall Sutton
Mar 31, 2022
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 16-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Henrico County Police Department are honored on badge.nw.








