Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Campbell was my great great grandfather. His picture was in my grandparents’ home in Bristol. To be honest, as a young boy, his portrait and his story were frightening to me. In retrospect, his story is one that needs telling. A man in blue doing his job and sacrificing his life to keep the streets safe. Glad to remember my fallen forefather.

John McJunkin
Great great grandson

December 14, 2024

Officer Campbell, thank you for your service and please know that no passage of time will ever erase your sacrifice. Rest in peace always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

July 2, 2020

Officer Campbell is my great grandfather. I remember his picture in my grandparents' home when I was a child. The story was that he was shot while trying to catch a criminal. Certainly, being "gut shot" was a terrible way to go. We knew that he was a hero, but some of the other details were not relayed to me or my cousins.

With the recent focus on police brutality, I find it concerning that the suffering and sacrifice of those who gave their lives in police service are somehow relegated to secondary status. That is an injustice. Most recently, a public display at Dartmouth College that honored policemen killed in the line of duty was defaced and removed (without authority) by member of the Black Lives Matter movement. As the parent of a Dartmouth student, I am saddened by these actions. I hope that those who engaged in such behavior are reprimanded. Freedom of speech is a sacred right in this country. Those that seek to restrain the free speech rights of others cannot hide behind the First Amendment to justify their unlawful actions.

Officers like William Campbell, who gave their lives in the line of duty, deserve proper respect and dignity. Those who seek to protest may do so, but such protest cannot include defacement or destruction of authorized recognitions of those lives lost while serving their fellow man.

John G. McJunkin -- great grandson

May 16, 2016

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

July 4, 2015

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 104th anniversary year of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

December 21, 2012

Growing up, I had heroes-Mickey Mantle, Roy Rogers, Muhammad Ali-never knowing real heroes were right there in the family. My Graddaddy Hicks was Chief of Police in Bristol, Va. I hope they have met. I'm sorry it has taken almost 100 years to get recognition. I, like my Uncle Jim, remember the picture upstairs in the bedroom. I didn't know the story behind it though. At 34, I am sorry for all he missed. His wife has a very warm place in my family's heart since my mom, Frances, says she pretty much raised her until her tragic death. My mom is also a big hero of mine and I have my great-granddad to thank for her, too. He will forever hold a place of reverence and awe for the sacrifice he made for the people of this town. It's an honor to call William Campbell my great-granddad. Rest well! David C Hicks

david c hicks
great-grandson

March 7, 2008

William F. Campbell was the grandfather I never knew. His oldest child, Norma, was my mother and was age 11 and in the 6th grade when he died. Norma had 4 younger brothers: George, Al, Charlie and Keller and she had to leave school to help raise her siblings.

William's framed picture was in one of the rooms in the house where I grew up and I would often look up at the picture and wonder what he was really like: was he kind, gentle, harsh, disciplined, loving?... Perhaps he was all of these attributes and more since they best discribe his daughter, my mother and his wife, Rosa.

Among the items William left behind was a billy club. I would often chase through our house with club in hand, not sure who I was after in my pretend world. But I wondered how often William had to use such a club in the real world???...

Thanks again for the work you do with these memorials. It offers me the opportunity to do some family reflection especially about the young man I never knew.

James G. Goode
Grandson of William F. Campbell

James G. Goode, Capt. USN, Ret.
Grandson

December 29, 2007

My brother and I had been searching for our family history. What amazement to find out the above man was in our family. We have learned about a man we never knew existed and have connected with some wonderful long lost family members. Thanks to the Bristol, VA police dept for giving me an opportunity to learn about my family.

Kathy
Great Grandfather

August 24, 2007

To Granddad - the man I never knew,yet,the man whose blood runs through my veins. Thanks for your gift of life to my mother, Norma, a beautiful woman who loved five of your grandchildren into being. Four of us (Frances, Wanda, Bill and Jim) along with Barbara, the daughter of your oldest son, Al, were present August 16, 2007 to honor you and your sacrifice. May you continue to rest in Peace as we continue to celebrate your memory.

Your Grandson,
Jim Goode
Green Cove, Virginia
Chaplain,USN,Ret.

James G. Goode
Grandson

August 22, 2007

Thanks to the hard work of Lt. Milligan, a Bristol , Virginia Officer is finally recognized for his sacrifice. Thank you Lt. Milligan and thank you Officer Campbell for your service.

Master Trooper J. H. Thornburg, Jr. (Ret
Virginia State Police

August 20, 2007

Thanks to a little research and a very large effort on behalf of your family, the BVPD now has your portrait. After being lost to time for 99 years, there will now be a place of honor dedicated to you in the new Bristol Police Department building. Rest well...your watch is complete.

Lt. Darryl Milligan
Bristol VA Police Department

August 18, 2007

Officer Campbell,

You are not forgotten. May you continue to rest in eternal peace..........

Senior Officer D.W.Reichhardt
Waverly (Va.) Police Department

November 28, 2006

Rest in peace, Sir! You are not forgotten.

Police Officer

November 16, 2006

Officer Campbell,
It has taken over 98 years, but you are finally being honored. I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Bristol.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

Anonymous

November 13, 2006

Your bravery knows no bounds, a salute to your service and dedicaton.

Officer K.J. Flynn
Chesterfield County Police Dept., Va

November 13, 2006

Brother William thank you for your service and your sacrifice. It is a tragedy that the "man" who killed you was given only 7 years in prison. He has long since met the justice he attempted to evade in this life. While he will be forgotten by history we will remember you.

Patrolman Ben Sleaford
Geneseo (IL) PD

November 12, 2006