Forest Warden Charles Fletcher Waller

Charles Fletcher Waller

Forest Warden Charles Waller was struck and killed by a vehicle in Nansemond County while directing traffic on the Suffolk Highway (modern-day Route 58) near Magnolia at about 8:00 pm.

A forest fire in the Great Dismal Swamp had created a heavy fog of smoke in the area, and firefighters had laid hoses across the highway. Forest Warden Waller and another forestry patrolman had placed warning flags along the highway and put wood boards next to the fire hoses so cars could drive over them. A line of cars had formed as the patrolmen directed the vehicles through the area and over the hoses.

An impatient driver accelerated past the stopped cars and struck Forest Warden Waller as he yelled out to the driver to warn him about the hazards. He was transported to a hospital in Portsmouth, where he was pronounced dead.

The driver who struck him was charged with manslaughter.

Forest Warden Waller had served with the Virginia Department of Forestry for 15 months. He was survived by his wife, seven children, and 16 grandchildren.