Since the founding of the Buena Vista Police Department, three officers have lost their life in the line of duty.  Here are their stories....

On August 21, 1921, Patrolman James Flint made an arrest on an escaped prisoner from the State Reformatory near Richmond, Virginia.  During the arrest there was a struggle involving Flint, his prisoner, and family members.  Officer Flint was fatally stabbed during the struggle.  His assailant was charged with murder.

    Officer Flint was survived by his wife and seven children.

On October 14, 1933, while checking on a prisoner at the local jail, Chief James Madison "Matt" Beard was attacked.  The inmate rushed Chief Beard and was able to wrestle his revolver from his holster, which he used to fatally shoot Beard.  Chief Beard had served the Buena Vista Police Department for thirty-six years.

    Chief Beard was survived by his wife and four children.

On January 8, 1982, at approximately 12:30am, Lt. William "Billy" Oyler was responding to a call of "shots fired" into a residence located at Locust Avenue and 33rd Street.  When he arrived at this address his assailant, who was hiding in the woods nearby, fatally shot him through the neck while still in his police cruiser.  His assailant was arrested and charged with murder.

    Lt. Oyler was survived by his wife, three daughters, and one son.