A veteran Virginia police officer was shot and killed on Friday afternoon during a traffic stop, according to reports.
Police officer Dominic “Nick” Winum, 48, of the Stanley Police Department was shot at around 3:15 pm while still in his vehicle, after stopping a driver who got out of his vehicle and shot the policeman, confirmed the State Police Virginia. according to WHSV-TV of Harrisonburg, Va.
The suspect, identified as Dakota Richards, 29, of Stanley, was shot dead by the aides of the Page County sheriff after he tried to escape on foot through some nearby woods, officials said.
Richards was found inside a barn and was shot after making a threatening move, the WHSV reported.
Previous reports that a suspect had been taken into custody were not accurate.
The circumstances that led to the traffic stop were unclear, reported the Roanoke Times.
News of Winum’s death devastated law enforcement agencies in the area.
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“Since joining our department in 2016, he has proudly served and protected the Stanley community,” said Stanley police chief Ryan Dean in a statement obtained by News-Record. “I know that the Stanley and Page County community is keeping Nick and his family in their prayers during this most difficult and tragic period.”
“We have no words,” added Page County Sheriff’s Office in a Facebook post. “Please pray for the family of our fallen brother, the Stanley Police Department and our law enforcement family.”
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Winum previously served in the Virginia State Police, the agency that is now leading the investigation into her death, according to the News-Record.
The area saw a previous shootout against a police officer in November, when Rockingham County Deputy Sheriff Cpl. Patrick Tate was shot during a traffic stop. Tate survived the shooting and continues to recover, News-Record reported.