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Incident
Deputy Police Chief Virgil Deyo was shot and killed while searching for a suspect along with a posse. Although off-duty, Deputy Chief Deyo volunteered to join the posse as he was acquainted with the suspect and believed he could talk the man into surrendering. The officers located the suspect and opened fire on his car when the suspect refused to stop. The man fled into a nearby creek bed to hide. As the officers searched some nearby underbrush, the suspect opened fire, mortally wounding Deputy Chief Deyo. Another officer returned fire and killed the man. Deputy Chief Deyo succumbed to his wounds two days later.
Survivors
Deputy Chief Deyo was survived by his wife and three children.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Chief of Police Deyo gave the Huron Police Department 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the Huron community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Chief of Police Deyo.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Huron Police Department has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Virgil is one of 37 officers killed feloniously in SD, 57.8% of the 64 remembered there.
Virgil is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Virgil 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 1966, 1 officer in SD was killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 28 years on record. The heaviest was 2011, with 3.
In 1966, 77 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 91st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1966, 81 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Virgil was 46. Of the 31 killed feloniously in SD whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 49.5; the middle age was 37. Virgil had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Virgil was 46. 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. Virgil had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Virgil was 46. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Virgil had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in SD; September holds the most, 21.6%. Tuesdays: 32.4%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Huron Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 66.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.8% of all 64 deaths in SD, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 29.7% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Huron Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Virgil among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 37-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Huron Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
