Incident
Location: Virginia Weapon: Handgun; .22 caliber Offender: Executed
Sergeant Holcombe Woodson was shot and killed at Catlett, Virginia, as he and another railroad detective approached a man to question him about freight thefts. Before the detectives even spoke to the man, he produced a .22 caliber handgun and opened fire.
One of the shots struck Sergeant Woodson in the neck, mortally wounding him. He was transported to Warrenton Hospital where he succumbed to the wound.
The suspect fled but was arrested. He was subsequently convicted of murder and executed.
Sergeant Woodson had served with the Southern Railroad Police Department for 31 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
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
31 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant Woodson gave the Southern Railway Police Department 31 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Washington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Woodson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Southern Railway Police Department has lost 18 officers; 17 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 754 officers killed feloniously in DC, 53.1% of the 1,419 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, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1946, 1 officer at Southern Railway Police Department was killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 14 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 2.
In 1946, 6 officers in DC were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 159 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 20.
In 1946, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1946, 93 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 67th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 63. Of the 16 killed feloniously at Southern Railway Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 47.5; the middle age was 37.5. John had served 31 years; the middle length of service was 8.5 years.
John was 63. Of the 580 killed feloniously in DC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 36. John had served 31 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
John was 63. 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 31 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 63. 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 31 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 23.5% of these deaths at Southern Railway Police Department; January holds the most, 23.5%. Mondays: 17.6%.
August holds 9.2% of these deaths in DC; July holds the most, 11.7%. Mondays: 14.9%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 94.4% of all 18 deaths at Southern Railway Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .22 caliber, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.1% of all 1,419 deaths in DC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .22 caliber, in 0.3% 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 handgun; .22 caliber, in 0.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .22 caliber, in 0.1% of these deaths.
His people
Southern Railway Police Department has 18 officers remembered here, John among them.
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J. H. Crawford Feb 16, 1908
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Samuel H. Boyer
Jan 28, 1910
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Harry S. Murphy Apr 29, 1912
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John Gibby Feb 28, 1913
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Charles W. Clark Apr 13, 1918
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Travis W. Greer Jan 4, 1921
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Eugene Malici Feaster Aug 30, 1922
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James Reedy Booth Aug 30, 1922
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Henning Franklin Musselwhite Aug 2, 1925
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Willie Joseph Young
Jan 16, 1927
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William Arthur Brown Feb 27, 1929
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Glenn Lafayette Varnell
Aug 25, 1929
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Wilbur McKinley Brown Dec 15, 1930
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Frank B. Lakey
Jan 10, 1935
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William Myrtle McIntyre
Feb 23, 1935
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John Holcombe Woodson
Aug 5, 1946
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Herbert Mitchell Gash Jul 29, 1958
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Jack R. Armstrong
Apr 25, 1968
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 45-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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