Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office, Virginia
End of Watch: Friday, May 17, 2002
Age: 43
Tour of Duty: 3 years
Badge Number: 64
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: May 17, 2002
Weapon Used: Handgun; .380 caliber
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Deputy Frankie Betterton was shot and killed while making a traffic stop on US Highway 58 near Danville, Virginia at approximately 1430 hours.
Deputy Betterton had two vehicles pulled over at this traffic stop. One vehicle was being driven by a male, and the other vehicle was driven by his girlfriend. After letting the girlfriend go, Deputy Betterton had the male sit in his patrol car.
The male, who was seated in the passenger seat, produced a .380 caliber handgun and shot Deputy Betterton once in the head. The male fled the scene but was apprehended the following morning at approximately 0530 hours. The male was charged and convicted with capital murder and the jury recommended the death penalty, but the judge instead sentenced the male to life in prison.
Deputy Betterton had been employed with the Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office for three years, and is survived by his wife, son, and two daughters.