Bristol Police Department, Virginia
End of Watch Thursday, July 2, 1908
Add to My HeroesWilliam F. Campbell
Policeman William Campbell succumbed to wounds he received when he was shot and killed by a subject wanted for malicious shooting and bootlegging on April 29, 1908.
Not realizing they had located the man, the three officers engaged him in conversation. As the man began to walk away, a boy who had been accompanying the officers informed them the man was who they were looking for.
When the officers called out to the man to halt, he immediately began to run away. One of the officers fired at the man, who continued to run. When the man reached the top of the street, he turned around and shot at the officers, striking Policeman Campbell in the abdomen.
Policeman Campbell was taken to his home, where his condition worsened until he succumbed to the wound on July 2, 1908.
The shooter was able to flee and remained at large for six years. He was finally arrested in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in January 1914. He was returned to Virginia, where he was convicted of Policeman Campbell's murder and sentenced to 7 years in prison. He was killed by return fire after killing Assistant Chief Thomas Church of the Johnson City Police Department, West Virginia, in 1928.
He was survived by his wife and children.
Bio
- Age 34
- Tour Not available
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Incident Date Wednesday, April 29, 1908
- Weapon Handgun; Revolver
- Offender Sentenced to 7 years
Most Recent Reflection
View all 17 ReflectionsI'm honored to say that Officer Campbell is my Great great Grandfather through his son Alvin Lee "Squirrel" Campbell! This part of my history I have only recently discovered but am thoroughly thankful to know about despite how tragic it was! I can say that his grandson Alvin William "Bill" Campbell my Grandfather was the finest man of the kindest highest character I have ever known and I miss him dearly!
Luke Campbell
Great great Grandson
Luke Campbell
February 23, 2025
Recent LODD Deaths
Detective Timothy Jones
Park Forest Police Department, IL
EOW: December 3, 2025
Specialist Sarah Beckstrom
United States Department of Defense - Army National Guard - West Virginia Army National Guard, WV
EOW: November 27, 2025
Reserve Deputy Sheriff John C. Stahl, III
Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, IN
EOW: June 8, 2025
Sergeant Terri Jean Sweeting-Mashkow
Indian River County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: November 21, 2025
Police Officer Alec Sanders
Alhambra Police Department, CA
EOW: November 20, 2025
Corrections Officer Jeremy Lewis Hall
Virginia Department of Corrections, VA
EOW: November 17, 2025
Police Officer Marc Brock
Vivian Police Department, LA
EOW: November 14, 2025
Corporal Blake Adair Reynolds
Delaware County Sheriff's Office, IN
EOW: November 12, 2025
Police Officer Roger Smith
WakeMed Campus Police & Public Safety Department, NC
EOW: November 8, 2025

