HAMPTON, Va. -- Thousands gathered Tuesday at the Liberty Baptist Church for the funeral service of Virginia State Trooper Chad Dermyer, who was shot and killed in the line of duty by a man inside Richmond’s Greyhound Bus Station.
Dermyer, a husband with two children, was 37 years old. Dermyer was taking part in a criminal interdiction practices training session with about a dozen other troopers. The team had completed the classroom portion of their training and were working on "field practicals" at the bus station when gunfire erupted.
Virginia State Police Superintendent Colonel W. Steven Flaherty delivered remarks at the funeral.
Virginia State Police Superintendent Colonel W. Steven Flaherty delivered remarks at the funeral.
He said that Dermyer proved every day, on duty and off duty, that he had what it takes to be in law enforcement.
“He had integrity, fortitude, character, and lord knows, he had compassion for other people,” Flaherty said.
He also said that Dermyer has a sixth sense, the power of observation, a skill which tragically led to him paying the ultimate price.
“Chad was doing what Chad loved to do,” and “was at his absolute best” that fatal Thursday, Flaherty said.
Dermyer was starting a new job with the State Police, in the counterterrorism and criminal interdiction unit, adding to his already impressive and extensive resume in career and public safety.
“He was a natural,” Flaherty said.
"We don't say Chad was a Virginia State Police trooper; we say he IS a Virginia State Police trooper,” Flaherty reminded the crowd of hundreds gathered.
His full remarks are in the video above.
