Patrick County Sheriff's Office, Virginia
End of Watch: Saturday, December 2, 1939
Age: 64
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: December 2, 1939
Weapon Used: Rifle; .22 caliber
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Deputy Walter Willis was shot and killed while raiding a still near Willis Gap. He was approaching the still when he was shot in the back by a suspect armed with a .22 caliber rifle.
Deputy Willis crawled one-half mile to a nearby house, where he died a short time later. Before passing away he was able to identify the suspect. The man, 22, was arrested a short time later. In one of the quickest trials in Virginia's history he was convicted six days later of murder and sentenced to life.
Deputy Willis was survived by his wife, four sons, two daughters, father, and brother.