Incident
Location: Virginia Weapon: Gun; Unknown type Offender: Sentenced to life
Deputy Oland Collins and Deputy Sam Collins were shot and killed in Lee County, Virginia, as they attempted to serve a warrant on a subject wanted as a witness in a murder trial.
The deputies, accompanied by the Bell County sheriff and the Lee County sheriff, had gone to the woman's home at Gibson Station, Virginia, in order to return her to Kentucky. When the posse was refused entry into the home they attempted to force their way in, but the occupants opened fire.
Witnesses said a 13-year-old boy fired the fatal shots but his father took the blame, was convicted of murder, and sentenced to life on February 12, 1912.
Both deputies, who were brothers, were killed and the Lee County sheriff was wounded.
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 Collins served with the Bell County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Pineville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Collins.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Bell County Sheriff's Department has lost 26 officers; 24 of them killed feloniously.
Oland is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Oland is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Oland 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 1911, 2 officers at Bell County Sheriff's Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1911, 15 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1911, 149 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1911, 150 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Oland was 21. Of the 20 killed feloniously at Bell County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32.5 and 51.5; the middle age was 45.5.
Oland was 21. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41.
Oland was 21. 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.
Oland was 21. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
October holds 8.3% of these deaths at Bell County Sheriff's Department; September holds the most, 16.7%. Tuesdays: 12.5%.
October holds 8.1% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Tuesdays: 12.4%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 92.3% of all 26 deaths at Bell County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 45.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 26.6% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Bell County Sheriff's Department has 26 officers remembered here, Oland among them.
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Joseph Manning Jul 14, 1901
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Charles Cecil Feb 17, 1902
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John Doyle Feb 17, 1902
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Richard W. Slusher Apr 11, 1902
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Tom Stewart Nov 1, 1903
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Gordon Givens Jan 30, 1910
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Oland Collins Oct 3, 1911
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Sam Collins Oct 3, 1911
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Edward Neece Nov 7, 1912
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John McCoy Jan 9, 1918
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Columbus Partin Sep 12, 1921
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Bill Atkins
Jun 22, 1923
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Jim Collins Jul 4, 1923
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Andy R. Baird May 4, 1924
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Philip Mark Daniels
Jun 17, 1927
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Elihu L. Simpson May 5, 1929
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Frank Bowman Aug 6, 1932
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Henry Adams Owens May 6, 1933
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James Henry Bowlin
Jul 28, 1940
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George Thomas Fisher Dec 17, 1940
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Sherd Barry Partin
Sep 30, 1944
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Lathe Warren Sep 18, 1952
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Harvey Crawford
Nov 14, 1953
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Franklin Eugene Jackson Sep 20, 1965
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Horace Hall, Jr.
Aug 14, 1980
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Anthony Pursifull
Jan 10, 2008
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 17-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
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