12th Annual Commonwealth Public Safety Memorial Annual Service to Be Held September 12
A Tribute to Virginia’s Public Safety Heroes
Richmond, VA – September 8, 2026. The Virginia Public Safety Foundation (VPSF) will host the 12th Annual Commonwealth Public Safety Memorial service on Saturday, September 12, 2025, at 11:00 AM at the Commonwealth Public Safety Memorial on Capitol Square adjacent to the Patrick Henry Building.
Unveiled in 2014, the Commonwealth Public Safety Memorial was constructed to honor Virginia’s public safety heroes, including firefighters, correctional officers, emergency medical service providers, law enforcement officers, ABC Agents, Virginia National Guard members, and the Department of Wildlife Resources Conservation Officers who died while serving their communities and Virginia.
There are currently 983 heroes’ names engraved on the memorial. On September 12, the Foundation will pay tribute to 23 additional public safety officers whose names were placed on the wall this year. Sadly, this brings the total of public safety heroes lost in the line of duty to 1006.
“These are not simply names engraved on a granite wall,” said Tracy Russillo, President of the Virginia Public Safety Foundation. “Each represents a life devoted to service—individuals who answered a calling to protect their communities, often quietly and without fanfare. Collectively, they saved countless lives, and in the end, gave their own. This memorial will stand as a lasting reminder of their stories, their sacrifices, and the profound debt of gratitude we owe them.”
The VPSF is a non-profit organization led by a volunteer board of directors. The Foundation proudly oversees the memorial and the annual addition of names.
The event is open to the public. If you are interested in attending, we encourage you to register at https://www.vpsf.org/event. To view the names of the heroes honored on the Commonwealth Public Safety Memorial, visit the Foundation’s website at www.vpsf.org.
Fallen Heroes to be honored during the 2026 Commonwealth Public Safety Memorial:
| Public Safety Officer | Agency |
| Leonard J. Archer, III | Richmond Fire & Emergency Services |
| Kelvin N. Bailey | Virginia Beach Police Department |
| Robert S. Baumgardner | Richmond Fire & Emergency Services |
| Terry E. Burr | Virginia Beach Police Department |
| Scott D. Campbell | Virginia Beach Police Department |
| William Kenneth Carter | Newport News Fire Department |
| Rodney J. Coles | Richmond Fire Department |
| Linzie Scott Collins | Richlands Fire & Rescue |
| Jeremy Lathan Compton | Christiansburg Volunteer Fire Department |
| Roy Samuel Crane, Jr. | Warrenton Volunteer Fire Department |
| Earl E. Dyer, Jr. | Richmond Fire & Emergency Services |
| Barry J. Foust | Arlington County Police Department |
| Jeremy Lewis Hall | Virginia Department of Corrections |
| David Hogan | Roanoke County Fire & Rescue |
| Clarence Ethan Hubbard | Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice |
| Christopher S. Jones | Norfolk Fire & Rescue |
| Mack G. Mays, Jr. | Monelison Volunteer Fire Department |
| Lance E. McClintock | Prince William County Fire & Rescue |
| Robert Evans Talbot | Chesterfield Fire & EMS |
| Tracy A. Thomas | Richmond Fire & Emergency Services |
| Logan Utt | Carroll County Sheriff’s Department |
| Charles F. Waller | Virginia Department of Forestry |
| Nathan Witczak | Virginia Beach Police Department |
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The Virginia Public Safety Foundation (VPSF) is a nonprofit organization that has been dedicated to serving Virginia's heroes and their families for over 35 years, honoring heroism in the line of duty. The Foundation is responsible for adding the names of fallen public safety officers to the Memorial and organizing an annual ceremony to ensure their bravery and dedication are eternally remembered. In addition, VPSF provides crucial support to the families of those who have died in the line of duty, offering aid during their most challenging times. For more information, please visit www.vpsf.org.