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Incident
Town Sergeant Daniel Littrell was shot and killed while he and a sheriff's deputy were investigating bootleggers.
The officers had just stopped a car near the town line on the turnpike between Big Stone Gap and Appalachia. They arrested two brothers and a woman in the car after one of them drew a pistol on the officers. While they were searching the car a policeman from Appalachia rode up in a buggy and interfered with the arrest. The policeman then shot Town Sergeant Littrell in the back and exchanged shots with the deputy. The deputy returned fire, and both were wounded.
The man who shot Town Sergeant Littrell was arrested after returning to Appalachia. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Town Sergeant Littrell had served with the Big Stone Gap Police Department for only eight months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 10 children.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Town Sergeant Littrell served with the Big Stone Gap Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Big Stone Gap community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Town Sergeant Littrell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Big Stone Gap Police Department has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Daniel is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
Daniel is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Daniel 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 1920, 4 officers in VA were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 1920, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1920, 396 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Daniel was 52. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Daniel had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Daniel was 52. 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. Daniel had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Daniel was 52. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Daniel had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 10.4% of these deaths in VA, more than any other month. Sundays: 18.6%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Big Stone Gap Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.2% of all 653 deaths in VA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 25.7% 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, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Big Stone Gap Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Daniel among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 47-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Big Stone Gap Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
