VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A photo of a Virginia State Trooper who stopped traffic on Interstate 64 in Hampton Roads to salute a fallen member of law enforcement has garnered praise on Facebook for the trooper’s action. Julie Armstrong posted the picture on social media Tuesday while sitting in traffic.
“Three state police cars with lights on slowly stopped all traffic just after the 264 off ramp,” Armstrong wrote. “Once stopped they proceeded to get out of their cars and stand at attention. Immediately a procession of state police cars and a hearse moved on to 64. The police stayed at attention until the whole procession was a couple miles down the interstate. Then they returned to their cars and slowly returned us to normal speed on the interstate. What a terrific salute to a fallen officer.”
Virginia State Police shared Armstrong’s photo, along with the message, “Thank you, Ms. Armstrong, for sharing and being so understanding and patient for the traffic delay in Hampton Roads Tuesday.”
Former Virginia State Trooper and Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office background investigator J.J. DellaVecchio was laid to rest Tuesday. DellaVecchio died unexpectedly last week, WVEC reported.
“Wow! This brought me to tears while reading to my husband,” Ellen Young Goodloe commented on Facebook.
“That is the way they should be honored,” Christie Smith replied. “They are in fact fighting for us.”
