Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, WV

Virginia State News

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March 8, 2013

Va trooper killed in I-85 shooting, suspect IDed

Associated Press

DINWIDDIE, Va. — Virginia State Police have identified a suspect arrested in the fatal shooting of a trooper during a traffic stop.

State Police spokeswoman Corinne Geller said Russell E. Brown, 28, of Chesterfield was found hiding at a business about a half-mile from where Master Trooper Junius A. Walker was shot off Interstate 85 on Thursday in Dinwiddie County.

Geller said Brown has been charged with one count each of capital murder of a police officer, attempted capital murder of a police officer and two felony firearm counts.

Brown is being held without bond at the Meherrin River Regional Jail in Alberta. It wasn’t known whether he has an attorney.

Walker, 63, was a 35-year State Police veteran.

“Master Trooper Walker was a highly-respected and long-time veteran of our Department, which has made his shocking death especially hard on the Virginia State Police family,” said Col. W. Steven Flaherty, the State Police superintendent.

Walker, who was patrolling alone as most troopers do, called for backup after being fired upon just before 1:30 p.m. The second trooper arrived within two minutes and saw a male suspect firing into Walker’s marked police vehicle, which was down an embankment off the southbound lanes of the interstate near the woods, Geller said.

The second trooper fired at the suspect, who fled into the woods. Brown was found nearby and was arrested before 2 p.m.

Walker is the 59th member of the State Police killed in the line of duty in its 81-year history.

Gov. Bob McDonnell expressed condolences to Walker’s wife, two daughters and the rest of his family, friends and colleagues.

“Virginia has lost a brave public servant and hero,” McDonnell said.

The southbound lanes of I-85 near the 45-mile marker were reopened early Friday.

 

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