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VACP Recommends Shrouding of Badges for Virginia State Police Trooper Dowell
The Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police recommends that all Virginia law enforcement officers shroud their badges in honor of Trooper Lucas B. Dowell. Shrouding is recommended through the day of funeral services – Saturday, February 9.
We express our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Trooper Dowell and to the Virginia State Police.
Funeral Arrangements
The public is welcome to attend the visitation and funeral services.
Visitation
Friday, February 8, 2019
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM & 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Chilhowie Christian Church
172 Apple Valley Road
Chilhowie, VA 24319
Funeral Service
Saturday, February 9, 2019
11:00 AM
Chilhowie Christian Church
172 Apple Valley Road
Chilhowie, VA 24319
Interment
Immediately following service, with procession to:
St. James Lutheran Church Cemetery
538 St. James Road
Chilhowie, VA 24319
Reception
A reception for family, friends, and law enforcement will be held at Chilhowie Christian Church immediately following the burial.
Information for Law Enforcement
Color Guard/Flag Details Contact:
Sgt Nathan Rife at nathan.rife@vsp.virginia.gov or 276-733-5542
Motors Contact:
Sgt. Bob Keen - (434) 944-4961
Pipes & Drums Contact:
1st Sgt. Mike McCann at michael.mccann@vsp.virginia.gov or 804-704-4811
Out-Of-State Law Enforcement & Honor Guard Contacts:
Sgt. Rich Burton at richie.burton@vsp.virginia.gov or 804-450-2333
Sgt. Stevie Lowe at stevie.lowe@vsp.virginia.gov
Nearest Airports:
Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport: https://www.flyroa.com
(1 hour 45 minute drive to the church in Chilhowie)
Tri-Cities Airport (TRI): https://triflight.com
(1 hour drive to church in Chilhowie)
Hotels:
Click here for list of local hotels.
Condolences
The Dowell family has asked for all condolences to be collected by the VSP Public Relations Office (PRO) at P.O. Box 27472, Richmond, VA 23261. Condolences can also be made online at www.williamsfuneralhomeofchilhowie.com.
Donations
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Virginia State Police Association - Emergency Relief Fund (ERF). Contributions can be made online at https://www.vspa.org/donate/erf.html. Please note in the payment reference section, "in memory of" or "in honor of Lucas Dowell."
Virginia State Police Mourning Loss of Trooper Killed in Cumberland County Shooting
CUMBERLAND CO., Va. – The investigation by the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation's Appomattox Field Office remains ongoing into the Cumberland County shooting that claimed the life of a Virginia State Police trooper and resulted in the death of the shooting suspect. The incident occurred Monday, Feb. 4, 2019.
Trooper Lucas B. Dowell was a member of the Virginia State Police Tactical Team that was assisting the Piedmont Regional Drug and Gang Task Force with executing a search warrant at a residence in the 1500 block of Cumberland Road/Route 45, just north of the town limits of Farmville. The Tactical Team had made entry into the residence shortly before 10 p.m. Monday when an adult male inside the residence began shooting at them. The Tactical Team members returned fire, fatally wounding the male suspect.
Trooper Dowell, 28, was transported to Southside Community Hospital in Farmville where he succumbed to his injuries. Trooper Dowell becomes the Department's 66th line of duty death. The Chilhowie, Va. native is a graduate of Chilhowie High School and earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Radford University. He graduated the Virginia State Police's 122nd Basic Session in November 2014. Since graduation he has been assigned to the Virginia State Police Appomattox Division; his latest assignment was on patrol in Area 20, which encompasses the City of Lynchburg, and Amherst and Campbell counties. He has been a member of the Appomattox Division Tactical Team - the equivalent of a SWAT Team – since 2015. He is survived by his parents and a sister.
“This is an extremely difficult day for the State Police,” said Colonel Gary T. Settle, Virginia State Police Superintendent. “We are humbled by Lucas' selfless sacrifice and grateful for his dedicated service to the Commonwealth. He will forever be remembered by his State Police Family for his great strength of character, tenacity, valor, loyalty and sense of humor.”
The suspect, Corey Johnson, 44, of Cumberland County, Va. died at the scene. His remains were transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Richmond for examination and autopsy. Johnson was the only individual inside his residence at the time of the shooting. The search warrant was being conducted as part of an ongoing narcotics investigation.
No other troopers were injured in the shooting. In accordance with Virginia State Police policy, the two troopers who fired their weapons have been placed on administrative leave.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
ADDITIONAL COVERAGE:
State trooper dead after shooting in raid near Farmville (NBC12 Richmond)
