Gunman shot and killed Virginia Trooper at bus terminal; gunman killed, two bystanders wounded
The killer who shot Virginia State Police Trooper Chad P. Dermyer Thursday (March 31) has been identified as James Brown III, 34, of Aurora, Ill.
Trooper Dermyer is the 62nd Virginia State Police Trooper to be killed in the line of duty during the Department’s 84-year history. In honor of Trooper Dermyer, his patrol car is currently on display in front of the Virginia State Police Administrative Headquarters in North Chesterfield County.
RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia State Police report that a Virginia State Police trooper has died as a result of his injuries after being shot March 31, 2016, at the Greyhound Bus station in the City of Richmond.
At approximately 2:40 p.m., Virginia State Police Trooper Chad P. Dermyer approached a male subject just inside the front doors of the bus station. During talking with the male subject, the male pulled out a handgun and shot the trooper multiple times. As the male subject continued firing his weapon, two state troopers, who were nearby, returned fire. The male suspect then moved into the terminal’s restaurant.
The shooter continued to be combative as police took him into custody and EMS crews tried to render aid to him. He was transported to VCU Medical Center, where he died later Thursday afternoon. His remains were transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for autopsy and examination. State police have confirmed the male subject’s identification but are still in the process of notifying his next of kin. His name will not be released until next of kin is formally notified. The suspect’s handgun was recovered at the scene.
During the gunfire, two adult females inside the bus terminal were also shot. Both were transported to VCU Medical Center and are being treated for of non-life threatening injuries.
No other law enforcement personnel or civilians were injured in the shooting.
Trooper Dermyer was among approximately a dozen state police troopers participating in a specialized training on criminal interdiction practices. They had completed the classroom instruction and were conducting field practicals at the time the shooting occurred. Trooper Dermyer’s encounter with the male subject was part of the training. Trooper Dermyer was in uniform at the time of the shooting.
Trooper Dermyer, 37, was transported to VCU Medical Center, where he died later Thursday afternoon. Trooper Dermyer, a Jackson, Mich. native, graduated from the Virginia State Police Academy November 2014. His original patrol assignment was to the Chesapeake Division’s Area 46 Office, which encompasses the cities of Newport News and Hampton. He had just recently transferred to the state police Counter-Terrorism and Criminal Interdiction Unit. Before joining the state police, Trooper Dermyer served with the City of Newport News Police Department and the Jackson, Mich., Police Department. Trooper Dermyer also served our nation for four years with the U.S. Marine Corps. He is survived by his wife and two young children.
The City of Richmond Police Department immediately responded to the scene to assist State Police with securing the scene, interviewing witnesses and evidence collection. Additional law enforcement resources from the FBI, ATF, US Department of Homeland Security, US Marshals Service, and Henrico County Police responded to the scene to assist, as well.