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Incident
Deputy Mayner Lambert was shot and killed from ambush by a suspect who held a grudge against Deputy Lambert for previous encounters.
The suspect had been arrested by Deputy Lambert after deserting from the US Army during WWII. Deputy Lambert had also been involved in an incident in which a citizen shot and killed the suspect's brother-in-law after accusing the man of stealing whiskey from his home. Deputy Lambert had accompanied the citizen to arrest the man, but when they located the man, the citizen immediately opened fire and killed him.
When Deputy Lambert was shot, he had just returned home with his wife and was standing on his front porch speaking to a neighbor girl and another deputy. The suspect shot him in the back with a .30-.30 rifle from a clump of bushes 100 feet away.
The suspect, 25, turned himself in several days later and confessed to the murder. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. Several other men were arrested and held as accessories to murder.
Deputy Lambert had served with the Dickenson County Sheriff's Office for just over 4 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, daughter, and 15 siblings.
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 Sheriff Lambert gave the Dickenson County Sheriff's Office 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Clintwood community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Lambert.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Dickenson County Sheriff's Office has lost 7 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Mayner is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
Mayner is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Mayner 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 1948, 1 officer at Dickenson County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1948, 4 officers in VA were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 1948, 80 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 84th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1948, 81 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Mayner was 45. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Dickenson County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 37 and 45; the middle age was 38. Mayner had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 2.5 years.
Mayner was 45. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Mayner had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Mayner was 45. 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. Mayner had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Mayner was 45. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Mayner had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 14.3% of these deaths at Dickenson County Sheriff's Office; July holds the most, 42.9%. Saturdays: 14.3%.
May holds 9.2% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Saturdays: 16%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 7 deaths at Dickenson County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 14.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.2% of all 653 deaths in VA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 4.1% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Dickenson County Sheriff's Office has 7 officers remembered here, Mayner among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 29-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Dickenson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
