On the evening of May 29, 2026, Deputy Sheriff Logan Utt, a 31-year-old male, was shot and killed in the line of duty in Cana, a community in Carroll County, Virginia. A veteran of the United States Air Force, Utt had been with the Carroll County Sheriff's Office for over two years, a position he considered a lifelong dream. He was a devoted husband and a father to two children.
Prior to his service with the sheriff's office, he had also been a member of the Cana Volunteer Fire Department and the Mount Airy Fire Department.
The tragic events unfolded at approximately 9:26 p.m. when Deputy Utt and another deputy were dispatched to a welfare check at a residence on Fancy Gap Highway. Upon their arrival, a man at the home, identified as Michael Puckett, opened fire on both deputies. Deputy Utt was fatally wounded in the exchange. The second deputy was struck in his ballistic vest and survived after receiving medical treatment. The deputies returned fire before the suspect fled the scene, sparking an intense manhunt.
Following the shooting, a multi-agency manhunt was launched for Michael Puckett, who was considered armed and extremely dangerous. The search concluded two days later when Puckett was apprehended in North Carolina. He has since been charged with murder in connection with Deputy Utt's death. Records show that the suspect was a convicted felon with a prior criminal history. The death of Deputy Utt was a profound loss for his family, the Carroll County Sheriff's Office, and the wider community, who remembered him as a hero dedicated to public service. Hundreds of law enforcement officers, first responders, and community members gathered to pay their respects during his funeral procession. The case against the alleged perpetrator is now proceeding through the justice system, following his arrest and the murder charge brought against him.
