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Incident
Corporal Chris Paschal succumbed to injuries sustained two days earlier in an automobile crash during an ice storm at mile marker 40.5 on northbound I-81.
He was off duty, traveling with his wife and daughter, when he observed another crash. He called the Smyth County dispatch to report the crash. As he spoke to the dispatcher and attempted to stop to offer assistance his vehicle slid on the ice and overturned twice. He was ejected from the vehicle and suffered critical injuries.
He was transported to Bristol Regional Medical Center where he remained until succumbing to his injuries.
Corporal Paschal had served with the Smyth County Sheriff's Office for nine years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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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.
Corporal Paschal gave the Smyth County Sheriff's Office 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Marion community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corporal Paschal.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Smyth County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Christopher is one of 203 officers lost to accidents in VA, 31.1% of the 653 remembered there.
Christopher is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Christopher is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2009, 3 officers in VA were lost to accidents, the 12th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1870, with 10.
In 2009, 57 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 81st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2009, 66 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 81st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Christopher was 37. Of the 192 lost to accidents in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 45; the middle age was 36. Christopher had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Christopher was 37. 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. Christopher had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Christopher was 37. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Christopher had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 7.4% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 12.8%. Sundays: 12.3%.
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Smyth 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 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Smyth County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Christopher among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 19-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Smyth County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
