HARRISONBURG, Va. — Hundreds of people attended a memorial service Wednesday for two officers who were fatally shot last week when they responded to reports of a suspicious man on the campus of a private college in Virginia.
Bridgewater College campus police officer John Painter and campus safety officer J.J. Jefferson were killed on Feb. 1 when a gunman opened fire on them after a brief interaction. School president David W. Bushman said the two officers were close friends and known on campus as “the dynamic duo.”
Pastor Michael Miller from Crosslink Community Church, who spoke on behalf of Jefferson's family, said the 48-year-old loved and cared about the students he served at Bridgewater.
Miller said Jefferson was a family man who adored his wife Shannon and his family.
Jefferson also cherished every moment he spent with others, enjoyed good food, cookouts and soap operas, according to Miller.
“The desire from the family is that we remember these kinds of things about J.J.," Miller said. "J.J. leaves a legacy, but not because he was some larger than life figure who was flashy and flamboyant in what he did. He leaves a legacy because he was intentional to live in the moment and make the most of the moments God had given him.”
Some of John Painter's former colleagues in law enforcement said he felt a calling to serve and was committed to protecting his community.
Painter's daughter, Courtney, read a poem in honor of her father.
"This world has many heroes. Some you’d know by name,” Courtney Painter said. “They give their best at what they do so they deserve their fame. Among all the heroes the world has ever had, there isn’t one more admired than the one I call my dad."
The 55-year-old's family and close friends also remembered him as a selfless and funny man who lived to make other people smile and supported the people he loved no matter what.
Jacob Painter said his uncle was his best friend and biggest fan.
"He would just give me the best advice. It didn’t matter what I was going through. He always had the words to settle me down and put me at ease," Jacob Painter remembered.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin called both officers heroes.
"They were willing to serve, they were willing to sacrifice everything in our common defense," Youngkin said.
Alexander Wyatt Campbell, a 27-year-old former student at the college, has been charged with murder. Authorities have not discussed any motive for the killings. During Campbell's court arraignment last week, his attorney asked that he be given a mental health evaluation.
The service was expected to draw members of the public and law enforcement officers from around the region. Corinne Geller, a spokesperson for Virginia State Police, said between 1,500 and 2,000 people were expected.
The service was held at Atlantic Union Bank Center on the James Madison University campus in Harrisonburg.
