Buchanan County Sheriff's Office, Virginia
End of Watch: Sunday, March 13, 2011
Age: 46
Tour of Duty: 7 years
Badge Number: 21
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: March 13, 2011
Weapon Used: Rifle
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Deputies William Stiltner and Cameron Justus were shot and killed after responding to assist other deputies who had been fired at by a sniper at the scene of a larceny in progress call.
Two deputies from the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office responded to the call at a car service business in Vansant. When they arrived, they began to search for the suspect when they were shot at from a distance by a suspect with a rifle. Both deputies were able to radio for assistance and crawl to a nearby home and took cover from the sniper.
Deputies Stiltner and Justus, along with members of the Virginia State Police responded to assist. As a perimeter was established to contain and search for the shooter, Deputies Justus and Stiltner were shot and killed by a high-powered rifle.
The suspect fled from a nearby ridge where he had fired from into the woods. He was located standing in front of a nearby house talking on a mobile phone. The suspect was shot and killed after he refused orders to get on the ground and then he drew a handgun on officers.
Deputy Stiltner had served with the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office for seven years. He is survived by his wife, two children, and two grandchildren.