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Incident
Constable Sheppard was shot and killed when he and the town sergeant of Stuart, Virginia, attempted to stop a stolen car. The car had been confiscated during a prohibition investigation and had been stolen from the county garage the previous night.
The two officers stopped the vehicle and as Constable Sheppard attempted to arrest the occupants, he was shot. The town sergeant was shot in the chest and seriously wounded when he went to Constable Sheppard's aid.
Five men were arrested in connection with Constable Sheppard's murder. The man, 25, who fired the shots was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. Another was convicted of murder and sentenced to 40 years. Two brothers were also sentenced; one to 30 years and the other to 35 years for their parts in the shootings and theft of the vehicle. The fifth suspect was convicted of accessory after the fact and sentenced to 2.5 years. On February 14, 1933, the one sentenced to 30 years was convicted of the attempted murder of the town sergeant and got another 13 years added to his sentence.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Constable Sheppard served with the Patrick County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Stuart community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Sheppard.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Patrick County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Robert is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
Robert is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Robert is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1932, 6 officers in VA were killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 1932, 210 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1932, 210 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Robert was 29. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38.
Robert was 29. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Robert was 29. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
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 2 deaths at Patrick County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.2% of all 653 deaths in VA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 10.9% 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; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Patrick County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 9-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Patrick County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.