Virginia Police Officer Shot Dead On His 29th Birthday During Welfare Check

A Virginia police officer was fatally shot on Saturday night, which happened to be his 29th birthday while performing a welfare check.

Fox News reported that Big Stone Gap police Officer Michael Chandler was performing a welfare check at an abandoned home at around 4 am on Saturday morning when he encountered at least one person who shot him. He was found in a ditch by a Wise County sheriff’s deputy and was flown to the hospital, where he tragically passed away hours later.

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“It is with a heavy heart that I must inform our community of the line of duty death of Officer Michael D. Chandler,” Big Stone Gap police Chief Stephen Hamm said in a statement, according to WDBJ. “His battle to survive today was truly miraculous. But, he succumbed to his injuries around 7:00 pm this evening at the hospital with his family at his side.”

“Mike’s loss will be felt by our town and across all of Wise County,” he added. “Not only did he serve as an officer with the Town of Big Stone Gap Police Department, but also as a volunteer with the Big Stone Gap Fire Department. Please keep his family in your prayers tonight, as this should have been a day to celebrate his 29th birthday – not a day to mourn his passing.”

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A 33-year-old suspect was later apprehended after an “extensive” manhunt, being taken into custody at a motel located about 40 miles away at Kingsport, Tennessee. The suspect was being held on suspected parole violations, and his new charges are pending at this time.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office also released statements about his death, with the THP saying that they “would like to express our condolences to the family and fellow officers of Officer Chandler of the Big Stone Gap, VA. Police Department.”

“Please continue to keep his family, Department, and the community in your prayers and thoughts,” JCSO officials added, according to WVLT.

“Everyone remember Michael’s family in your prayers!” the Big Stone Gap Fire Department said in a statement obtained by The Herald Courier. “We have lost our brother tonight! Heaven gained another Guardian Angel to help fight the evil of this old world! Rest In Peace 5508 we have the watch from here!”

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Police officers put their lives on the line to protect the rest of us every day, yet the left has vilified them over the past year in ways that have put them in more danger than ever before. Please join us in saying a prayer for Chandler’s family and law enforcement officers everywhere.