Virginia State Police are mourning the loss of a trooper killed during a narcotics investigation. While executing a search warrant, a male suspect fired at officers as they entered the home—fatally wounding Trooper Lucas B. Dowell on Feb. 4.
![Trooper Lucas B. Dowell. (Virginia State Police)](https://admin.ntd.com/assets/uploads/2019/02/Trooper-Lucas-B-Dowell.jpg)
The 28-year-old trooper served Virginians for four years. As a member of the Appomattox Division Tactical Team—“the equivalent to a SWAT team”—he assisted the Piedmont Regional Drug and Gang Task Force at the time of the shooting. Two other troopers returned fire at the suspect, resulting in his death, according to the press release.
Sympathy and condolences for the officer were posted on Facebook.
![Screenshot of Facebook Comment Section (Virginia State Police/Facebook)](https://admin.ntd.com/assets/uploads/2019/02/Screenshot-of-Facebook-Comment-Section.png)
A black mourning band was also posted a day after the incident.
No Others Shot
Dowel was the only trooper who sustained injuries while executing the warrant. Dowell was then treated at the Southside Community Hospital in Farmville but later succumbed to his wounds. It was not specified how many times Dowell had been shot, or where.According to the release, the suspect’s remains were sent to be examined and autopsied, and the police are in the process of notifying his family of his death. No other suspects were found in the home.
Fallen Peacekeepers of Virginia
In Virginia, a total of 515 people and K9s have died in the line of duty since 1830, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page. Two hundred and eighty-two of those deaths resulted from gunfire, and 64 were the result of automobile crashes.![K9 Vader. (Virginia State Police)](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg.theepochtimes.com%2Fassets%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F02%2F05%2FK9-Vader.jpg&w=1200&q=75)
![Special Agent Michael Timothy Walter. (Virginia State Police)](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg.theepochtimes.com%2Fassets%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F02%2F05%2FMichael-Walter.jpg&w=1200&q=75)