Virginia State Police to honor Trooper Nathan-Michael W. Smith

The men and women of the Virginia State Police and their families will gather together Thursday to honor those public safety professionals who have given the ultimate sacrifice in their service to the Commonwealth of Virginia.

During the 2016 Virginia State Police Law Enforcement Memorial Service, special recognition will be given to Trooper Nathan-Michael W. Smith, 27, who died in the line of duty Sept. 21, 2015, in Prince George County; and Trooper Chad P. Dermyer, 37, who lost his life March 31, 2016, in the City of Richmond. The Honorable Lamont Bagby of the Virginia House of Delegates will provide the ceremony’s keynote address.

A poignant part of the service will be the unveiling and dedication of Trooper Smith’s portrait before his family and fellow troopers. Following the ceremony, Trooper Smith’s portrait will be hung in the Colonel C.W. Woodson Jr. Memorial Gallery located within the Virginia State Police Academy. The gallery already holds the portraits of the state police’s other 60 courageous men and women who died in the line-of-duty while serving the citizens of the Commonwealth.

Trooper Smith died after his vehicle crashed on an Interstate 295 exit ramp in Prince George County. Trooper Smith was responding to an emergency request for assistance at a fatal crash scene in Dinwiddie County.

The service will recognize all of the Department’s law enforcement professionals who have died in the line of duty, to include a special tribute to the following 13 troopers in which 2016 marks a significant passage of time:

• 5 Years:           Trooper Adam M. Bowen                   (2011-King George Co.)*
• 10 Years:         Sr. Trooper Robert A. Hill, Sr.            (2006 – Southampton Co.)
• 10 Years:         Trooper Kevin C. Manion                   (2006 – Clarke Co.)
• 20 Years:         Trooper Gregory P. Fleenor               (1996 – Hanover Co.)
• 30 Years:         Trooper Ricky M. McCoy                   (1986 – Salem)
• 35 Years:         Trooper Robin L. Farmer                    (1981-  Caroline Co.)
• 40 Years:         Trooper Bernard W. Wright                (1976 – Halifax Co.)
• 40 Years:         Trooper Garland W. Fisher, Jr.           (1976 – Durham, N.C.)
• 60 Years:         Trooper Henry M. Brooks, Jr.            (1956 – Pittsylvania Co.)
• 65 Years:         Trooper Robert Wright Smith             (1951 – Pamplin)
• 65 Years:         Investigator Wallace M. Simpson       (1951 – Petersburg)
• 70 Years:         Trooper William H. Andrews               (1946 – Nottoway Co.)
• 75   Years:        Trooper Urshell T. Mayo                     (1941 – Hampton)