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Incident
Sheriff Luther Pannett was accidentally shot and killed while investigating a suspicious noise in the cell block.
He and his wife lived in the Sheriff's Quarters in the Frederick County Jail at 317 S Cameron Street. At approximately 4:45 am Sheriff Pannett heard a noise coming from the cell block area upstairs. After obtaining his .32 caliber service revolver and flashlight, the sheriff went upstairs to investigate.
Mrs. Pannett said she heard no further noise from the direction of the staircase until a few minutes later when she heard the sound of a gunshot.
Running to the head of the stairs, Mrs. Pannett called to her husband but only received a sort of a groan. She went to the top of the steps where she found Sheriff Pannett lying on the floor of the landing unconscious with a gunshot wound to the head. He was rushed to Winchester Memorial Hospital where he died later that day.
An investigation concluded that Sheriff Pannett slipped and fell on the steps of the jail and dropped his revolver, which discharged, sending a bullet into his brain. The death was ruled accidental.
Sheriff Pannett had served with the Frederick County Sheriff's Office for over 20 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
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
20 years. You could have gone home.
Sheriff Pannett gave the Frederick County Sheriff's Office 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Winchester community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Pannett.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Frederick County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Luther is one of 203 officers lost to accidents in VA, 31.1% of the 653 remembered there.
Luther is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Luther is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1932, 2 officers in VA were lost to accidents, the 32nd heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1870, with 10.
In 1932, 110 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1932, 121 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 3rd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Luther was 57. Of the 192 lost to accidents in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 45; the middle age was 36. Luther had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Luther was 57. 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. Luther had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Luther was 57. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Luther had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 12.8% of these deaths in VA, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 15.3%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Frederick County Sheriff's Office, 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 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Frederick County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Luther among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 17-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Frederick County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
