Giles County Sheriff's Office, Virginia
End of Watch: Saturday, April 10, 1954
Age: 35
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: April 10, 1954
Weapon Used: Shotgun; 12 gauge
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 15 years
Deputy Sheriff Bill Broadwell was shot and killed when he and another deputy went to a home near Hoge's Store to search for a suspect wanted for assault.
The homeowner, who was not the wanted subject, opened fire on the deputies with a shotgun, killing Deputy Broadwell. The homeowner was arrested and taken out of the county by the Virginia State Police to protect him from an angry mob of citizens.
The 30-year-old man was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Deputy Broadwell was a United States Navy World War II veteran. He was survived by three children.