RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia State Police and their families will gather Thursday, May 26 to honor fallen Virginia State Troopers who have died in the line of duty as part of the 2016 Virginia State Police Law Enforcement Memorial Service.
During the memorial service, two troopers who died in the line of duty over the last year will receive a special dedication.
Special recognition will be given to Trooper Nathan-Michael W. Smith, 27, who died on Sept. 21, 2015, in Prince George County; and Trooper Chad P. Dermyer, 37, who lost his life March 31, 2016, in the City of Richmond.
Trooper Nathan-Michael W. Smith
Trooper Nathan-Michael Smith died after his vehicle crashed on an Interstate 295 exit ramp in Prince George County. Smith was responding to an emergency request for assistance at a fatal crash scene in Dinwiddie County.
Trooper Chad Dermyer was killed in the line of duty, after he was shot multiple times at the Greyhound bus station in Richmond while participating in a field training operation.
Trooper Chad Dermyer
During the memorial, a portrait of Trooper Smith will be unveiled before his family and fellow troopers. The portrait will be hung in the Colonel C.W. Woodson Jr. Memorial Gallery in the Virginia State Police Academy.
The gallery already holds the portraits of the state police’s other 60 men and women who have died in the line-of-duty.
The service will also recognize all of the Department’s law enforcement professionals who have died in the line of duty, and will include a special tribute to 13 troopers in which 2016 marks a significant passage of time:
5 Years: Trooper Adam M. Bowen (2011-King George Co.)*
10 Years: Sr. Trooper Robert A. Hill, Sr. (2006 – Southampton Co.)
10 Years: Trooper Kevin C. Manion (2006 – Clarke Co.)
20 Years: Trooper Gregory P. Fleenor (1996 – Hanover Co.)
30 Years: Trooper Ricky M. McCoy (1986 – Salem)
35 Years: Trooper Robin L. Farmer (1981- Caroline Co.)
40 Years: Trooper Bernard W. Wright (1976 – Halifax Co.)
40 Years: Trooper Garland W. Fisher, Jr. (1976 – Durham, N.C.)
60 Years: Trooper Henry M. Brooks, Jr. (1956 – Pittsylvania Co.)
65 Years: Trooper Robert Wright Smith (1951 – Pamplin)
65 Years: Investigator Wallace M. Simpson (1951 – Petersburg)
70 Years: Trooper William H. Andrews (1946 – Nottoway Co.)
75 Years: Trooper Urshell T. Mayo (1941 – Hampton)
*Year & Location of Death
Each tribute includes a single bell toll and an Honor Guard salute.
