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Incident
Deputy Shawn Hess was killed in a vehicle accident while responding to a call to backup an officer from the Richlands Police Department at approximately 5:30 am.
He was driving westbound on U.S. Route 460 when his patrol car left the road, struck a guard rail and went down a ravine, causing him to suffer fatal injuries.
Deputy Hess had served with the Tazewell County Sheriff's Office for seven years.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Hess gave the Tazewell County Sheriff's Office 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tazewell community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Hess.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Tazewell County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Shawnelle is one of 203 officers lost to accidents in VA, 31.1% of the 653 remembered there.
Shawnelle is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Shawnelle is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2010, 4 officers in VA were lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1870, with 10.
In 2010, 71 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 44th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2010, 79 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 60th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Shawnelle was 35. Of the 192 lost to accidents in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 45; the middle age was 36. Shawnelle had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Shawnelle was 35. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Shawnelle had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Shawnelle was 35. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Shawnelle had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 10.8% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 12.8%. Fridays: 16.7%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Tazewell County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.1% of all 653 deaths in VA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Tazewell County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Shawnelle among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 16-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Tazewell County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
