Deputy Burlie W. Duvall III Obituary, Cause of Death – Appomattox County Sheriff’s Deputy Killed in Route 460 Crash

The Appomattox County, Virginia, law enforcement community is mourning the tragic loss of Deputy Burlie W. Duvall III, who was killed in the line of duty Thursday, August 6, 2026, after being struck during a chain-reaction crash on Route 460 in Campbell County.

Deputy Duvall, 33, of Concord, was pronounced dead at the scene following the devastating collision. His death has left fellow deputies, family members, friends, and community members grieving the loss of an officer who was serving others when his life was tragically cut short.

According to Virginia State Police, troopers responded at approximately 5:34 p.m. to an eight-vehicle chain-reaction crash on westbound Route 460, approximately four-tenths of a mile west of Cabin Field Road.

The preliminary investigation indicates that Deputy Duvall and another Appomattox County Sheriff’s deputy were traveling home from the Central Virginia Criminal Justice Academy when they stopped to assist at the scene of an earlier crash.

Their vehicles were positioned in the two left lanes with emergency equipment activated as they worked to assist those involved in the earlier incident.

Police said a tractor-trailer was approaching the area when its driver swerved in an attempt to avoid the vehicles. During the maneuver, the tractor-trailer struck Deputy Duvall.

Despite the emergency response underway, the collision resulted in a devastating outcome for the 33-year-old deputy. Virginia State Police confirmed that Duvall died at the scene.

The larger collision involved eight vehicles and resulted in several other people being transported to area hospitals. Authorities reported that approximately seven people suffered injuries of varying severity, although none of the reported injuries was considered life-threatening.

For the Appomattox County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Duvall’s death represents a profound loss. Law enforcement officers routinely face unpredictable dangers while responding to crashes and emergencies, and Duvall was performing that responsibility when he was killed.

His fellow officers are now mourning a colleague who was not only a member of the department but also part of the wider law enforcement family.

The circumstances surrounding his death have highlighted the dangers faced by emergency responders working along busy highways. Officers, firefighters, paramedics, and other first responders can be exposed to significant risks when assisting motorists at crash scenes, particularly when traffic continues moving nearby.

As the investigation continues, authorities are expected to examine the sequence of events leading to the chain-reaction collision. Investigators will work to establish a complete account of the crashes and the circumstances surrounding the tractor-trailer’s approach.

For Deputy Duvall’s family, however, the investigation cannot lessen the pain of losing a loved one. His death has created an immeasurable absence for those who knew him personally and professionally.

The Appomattox County community is expected to come together to honor Duvall’s service and support his loved ones. Memorial tributes and funeral arrangements may be announced by the family or Sheriff’s Office as details become available.

Deputy Burlie W. Duvall III will be remembered as a law enforcement officer who lost his life while answering the call to help others. His final moments reflected the responsibility he had accepted as a deputy — stopping to assist people involved in a crash and putting service before his own safety.

His death is a heartbreaking loss for his family, colleagues, and the communities he served.

May Deputy Burlie W. Duvall III rest in peace, and may his family, fellow deputies, and all those affected by his death find strength and comfort during this difficult time.