A Virginia police officer was shot and killed during a traffic stop on Friday afternoon, police said.
Officer Nick Winum, 48, stopped suspect Dakota Richards’ car in Stanley City at about 3:30 pm, according to the Daily News-Record.
But the suspect got out of his car and opened fire on Winum even before the five-year-old veteran left his vehicle.
Winum died on the spot. Richards fled and was arrested by the police in a nearby camp, the agency said.
The police department was mourning the death of Winum.
“Since joining our department in 2016, he has proudly served and protected the Stanley community,” said Chief Ryan Dean in a statement posted on Facebook.
“I know that the Stanley and Page County community is keeping Nick and his family in their prayers during this most difficult and tragic time.