Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, Virginia
End of Watch Thursday, November 27, 1952
Add to My HeroesCecil Bernis Bays
Game Warden Cecil Bays was shot and killed in Pound, Wise County, on Thanksgiving night by one of two men who had yelled at him earlier in the evening.
The initial encounter and shooting were both unprovoked.
The subject was shot and killed a short time later by a Norton policeman. The other subject pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to five years in prison. He was paroled after serving only three years.
Game Warden Bays was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of WWII. He was survived by his wife.
Bio
- Age 30
- Tour Not available
- Badge Not available
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun; .38 caliber
- Offender Sentenced to 5 years
Most Recent Reflection
View all 6 ReflectionsThank you for your service to Wise County. You are gone but not forgotten. Rest in peace.
Officer A.F. Cathell
Wise, Virginia Police Department
July 8, 2012
Recent LODD Deaths

Deputy Sheriff Hector Cuevas, Jr.
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: March 17, 2025

Sergeant Joseph Anthony Azcona
Newark Police Division, NJ
EOW: March 8, 2025

Police Officer Felicia Dee Reilly
Saint Paul Police Department, MN
EOW: March 1, 2025

Deputy Sergeant Martin Shields, Jr.
Hinds County Sheriff's Office, MS
EOW: February 23, 2025

Police Officer Christopher M. L. Reese
Virginia Beach Police Department, VA
EOW: February 22, 2025

Police Officer Cameron Robert Girvin
Virginia Beach Police Department, VA
EOW: February 22, 2025

Patrolman Andrew William Duarte
West York Borough Police Department, PA
EOW: February 22, 2025

Trooper Kyle McAcy
Nebraska State Patrol, NE
EOW: February 17, 2025

Police Officer Jeremy R. Labonte
Roswell Police Department, GA
EOW: February 7, 2025