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Incident
Guard Walter Snow was shot and killed when he was attacked by an inmate during an escape attempt from a work crew assigned to Convict Camp 8 in Orange County. The inmates were working on a road construction project on Route 15 near the Culpeper County line.
The inmate, along with six others, had planned to escape by using the noise of the road making machinery to prevent the guards from hearing them. Guard Snow confronted the men as they escaped but was struck on the head with a hammer and knocked unconcious. One of the inmates then took his rifle and shot him in the abdomen.
Guard Snow was taken to the University of Virginia Hospital where he died later that night.
The inmates fled into the woods toward Culpeper. The inmate who planned the escape was captured quickly. The other inmates were captured over the next two days. The inmate who planned the escape and the inmate who shot Guard Snow were both sentenced to death. One was executed on April 4th, 1922, and the other was executed on May 26th, 1922.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Guard Snow served with the Virginia State Convict Road Force.
Thank you for your service to the Richmond community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Guard Snow.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Virginia State Convict Road Force has lost 9 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Walter is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
Walter is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Walter 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 1921, 1 officer at Virginia State Convict Road Force was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 1912, with 2.
In 1921, 10 officers in VA were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1921, 248 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1921, 516 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
Who
Walter was 35. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Virginia State Convict Road Force whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 35; the middle age was 30.
Walter was 35. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38.
Walter 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.
Walter was 35. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
March holds 20% of these deaths at Virginia State Convict Road Force; December holds the most, 20%. Tuesdays: 20%.
March holds 9.4% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Tuesdays: 13%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 55.6% of all 9 deaths at Virginia State Convict Road Force, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's rifle, 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 officer's rifle, 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 officer's rifle, in 0% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's rifle, in 0% of these deaths.
His people
Virginia State Convict Road Force has 9 officers remembered here, Walter among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Virginia State Convict Road Force are honored on badge.nw.
