In the quiet town of Pocahontas, Virginia, a dedicated male law enforcement officer lost his life in the line of duty. Luther R. Reedy, a 42-year-old night policeman, was tragically killed on the evening of Wednesday, February 22, 1922. His death came as he was responding to a report of a domestic disturbance, a call that would prove to be his last.
The man at the center of the disturbance had made prior threats, vowing to kill any officer who dared to arrest him.
As Policeman Reedy made his way toward the man's residence, he navigated a darkened alley. It was in this dimly lit passage that he was ambushed. A sudden blast from a shotgun struck him in the chest, and he was killed instantly. The sudden and violent end to his watch sent shockwaves through the small community he served.
The suspect, having carried out his fatal threat, fled the scene in an attempt to evade capture. However, his freedom was short-lived. Two determined detectives quickly apprehended him. In a swift delivery of justice, the suspect was tried and convicted of murder within a week of the crime. He was subsequently sentenced to life in prison for the ambush and murder of Night Policeman Reedy. Luther R. Reedy was survived by his wife.
