Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police & Foundation

06/03/2026

Criminologist and former police officer Dr. Tod Burke said that first responders face many hazardous "what-ifs" when responding to calls.

"There is no such thing as a routine call,” Burke said. “Officers and other first responders have to know, if I'm responding to something, 'What are the what-ifs? What if this isn't exactly what [I thought] I'm going into?’"

Recently across the Commonwealth, many first responders have been victims of violent attacks when responding to calls. A Carroll County sheriff’s deputy was fatally shot, and another was injured during a welfare check on Friday evening. Over the weekend, a Chesterfield County police K-9 was killed, and two officers were injured while responding to a domestic dispute. Additionally, two members of the Giles County Sheriff’s Office and three members of the Pembroke Volunteer Fire Department were assaulted while attempting to gain control of a car fire on Monday.

Across the Commonwealth, many first responders have been victims of violent attacks when responding to calls.

06/03/2026

06/03/2026

06/03/2026

Governor of Virginia's Flag Order for Friday, June 5 in Memory and Respect of Carroll County Sheriff's Office Deputy Logan Utt

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In accordance with the authority vested in me as Governor, I hereby order that the flags of the United States of America and the Commonwealth of Virginia be flown at half-staff on all state and local buildings and grounds in the Commonwealth of Virginia in memory and respect of Deputy Logan Utt of the Carroll County Sheriff's Office, whose life of service, courage, and sacrifice exemplified the highest ideals of law enforcement and public service.

Deputy Utt faithfully served the citizens of Carroll County and the Commonwealth of Virginia with honor, integrity, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to protecting others — a calling that began with his service as a volunteer firefighter with the Cana Volunteer Fire Department and continued through his service in the United States Air Force.

Following his military service, Deputy Utt joined the Carroll County Sheriff's Office, where his selfless spirit and unwavering dedication to the safety of the community earned him the respect and admiration of all who had the privilege of serving alongside him.

On May 29, 2026, while responding to a welfare check in Carroll County, Deputy Utt made the ultimate sacrifice in the performance of his duties — giving his life while serving and protecting others.

Deputy Utt's actions illuminate the extraordinary courage and devotion to duty that define the law enforcement profession and demonstrated his willingness to place himself in harm's way for the protection of his community. His sacrifice serves as a solemn reminder of the risks faced daily by law enforcement public servants who stand watch over our communities.

My heart is with his wife and small children, who should know a grateful Commonwealth thanks him for his service and sacrifice.

I hereby order that the flags shall be lowered at sunrise on Friday, June 5, 2026, and remain at half-staff until sunset.

Ordered on this, the 3rd Day of June, 2026.
Sincerely,

Abigail D. Spanberger, Governor

06/02/2026

Update from Chesterfield County Police on the injured officers. We continue to pray for the recovery of Officers Jacob Clark and Jacob Wells.

Update to May 31 Officer-Involved Shooting

Below you will find a media release with the identity of the suspect in Sunday's shooting, but first we wanted to share information about our two injured officers. We are sharing the names of the injured officers at the request of their families. Both officers come from law enforcement families; both have parents who served in the Chesterfield County Police Department. The officers are:

• Officer Jacob Clark, about 5 years of service, assigned to the Swift Creek Patrol Division
• Officer Jacob Wells, about 10 years of service, assigned to the Swift Creek Patrol Division

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for the kind words and messages of support for these officers, K9 Knight and his handler, and our entire department.

Here's the media release:
Chesterfield County Police have arrested the suspect in an officer-involved shooting that occurred on Sunday, May 31, 2026.
At about 4:40 p.m. on May 31, police responded to a reported shooting in the 12900 block of Gumfork Place. The adult female complainant said her son, identified as Gary G. Shaw, 65, had fired shots inside the residence during a domestic disturbance. The victim reported she was now in an upstairs bedroom, and Shaw, who lives with her at the Gumfork Place residence, was trying to get into the room.
Uniformed officers entered the residence and Shaw, who was armed with a pistol and a long gun, fired multiple shots at them. Two officers, identified as Jacob Clark, 25, and Jacob Wells, 40, and a police canine, Knight, were shot. Clark and Wells were transported to area hospitals and Knight was transported to an animal care facility. Clark and Wells remain hospitalized in critical but stable conditions. Knight died as a result of his injuries.
Shaw was also shot in the incident and was transported to an area hospital, where he remains in critical but stable condition. On June 1, detectives obtained warrants for Shaw for the following charges:
• two counts of attempted aggravated murder of a police officer;
• two counts of aggravated malicious wounding of a police officer;
• one count of killing a police dog;
• and four counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
Shaw was served with the warrants on the afternoon of June 2. He is in police custody at the hospital.

06/02/2026

Funeral services for Carroll County Sheriff's Office Deputy Logan R. Utt are set for Friday, June 5, 2026 at 2pm in Mt. Airy, NC. A visitation is set for Thursday afternoon also in Mt. Airy.

Shrouding of badges by Virginia law enforcement officers is recommended through the day of the funeral.

View Deputy Logan R. Utt's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

06/02/2026

Rest in peace, Corporal Barry Foust, and thank you for your service.

06/02/2026

Click this link to register by 06/05/26 https://forms.gle/xBJAF4fEJgLKeMCP8

06/01/2026

Thank you, K9 Knight, for your service and sacrifice.