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Incident
Constable Coner Hughes was shot and killed when he encountered a drunk man who was on a shooting rampage in Pennington Gap.
The suspect had started shooting in a pool hall and shot Constable Hughes three times in the chest on a city street after exiting the hall. The man then shot and wounded another man who tried to disarm him. As he passed by a local business he shot and seriously wounded the merchant inside for no reason.
The suspect was arrested a short time later at his home by a state trooper. As the trooper entered his home he tried to kill himself but he had fired all of his bullets.
The suspect, 24, was convicted of Constable Hughes murder and sentenced to 35 years. He was also convicted of two counts of attempted murder and sentenced to 15 years. At some point he was released because he died at his home in Pennington Gap in 1983.
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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.
Constable Hughes served with the Lee County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Jonesville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Hughes.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Lee County Sheriff's Office has lost 6 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Coner is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
Coner is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Coner 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 1936, 2 officers at Lee County Sheriff's Office were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1936, 10 officers in VA were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1936, 136 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1936, 136 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Coner was 64. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Lee County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 45.8 and 60.3; the middle age was 53.
Coner was 64. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38.
Coner was 64. 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.
Coner was 64. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
January holds 16.7% of these deaths at Lee County Sheriff's Office; July holds the most, 33.3%. Tuesdays: 16.7%.
January holds 5.9% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Tuesdays: 13%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 6 deaths at Lee County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun, 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 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 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Lee County Sheriff's Office has 6 officers remembered here, Coner among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 63-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Lee County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
