Four Alexandria Police Officers have been killed in the line of duty starting in 1899.  

 

The first officer was George W. Lee.  On December 7, 1899 Patrolman Lee discovered a man trying to break in to the Alexandria Post Office, Patrolman Lee was shot and killed at the scene.

 

The second officer, Patrolman Virgil Kirkman; he interrupted the attempted robbery of the Alexandria Loan Office by James Walker and Rufus Warren of Alexandria.  Patrolman Kirkman died at the scene after being shot twice by James Walker on March 4, 1911.

 

The third officer killed in the line-of-duty was Chief of Police John Ellis.  Chief Ellis was shot while trying to arrest James Walker who had shot and killed Patrolman Virgil Kirkman two days earlier.  Chief Ellis died March 6, 1911.

 

And, the fourth officer killed was Chief of Police Opal J. Hughes.  He was attempting to serve a warrant to George Schmauss, during a struggle Chief Hughes was shot and killed.  It was later discovered that Schmauss was operating a 100-gallon still.