News Releases

From May 13, 2026, through May 19, 2026, the Virginia State Police, in partnership with supporting federal and local agencies, achieved significant criminal interdictions. Their ongoing efforts led to the seizure of narcotics and the investigation of multiple crimes throughout the Commonwealth.  

Virginia State Police is reminding all drivers, young and old, to drive safe, smart, and sober as we head into the Memorial Day weekend and summer. Last year, in 2025, there were nine fatalities on Virginia roadways during the four-day statistical counting period for the Memorial Day holiday.

Multiple members of the Virginia State Police (VSP) family attended the funeral of Robert “Rock” Howard, 102, of Highland Springs, Va., on Tuesday.   Howard was VSP’s longest living trooper, having served for 33 years in Richmond and Fredericksburg from 1951 until his retirement in 1984. He passed away on May 5, 2026.

From April 29, 2026, through May 5, 2026, the Virginia State Police, in partnership with supporting federal and local agencies, achieved significant criminal interdictions. Their ongoing efforts led to the seizure of narcotics and the investigation of multiple crimes throughout the Commonwealth.

With motorcycle crash fatalities in 2026 just slightly behind the pace of 2024 and 2025, Virginia State Police is encouraging all drivers (on bikes or not) to be more careful on the roads.  May is Motorcycle Awareness Month, and warmer weather is likely to lead to more motorcycle use.

On Monday, May 11, 2026, the Virginia State Police (VSP) will receive a piece of steel recovered from Ground Zero at the World Trade Center (New York City), a historic artifact being presented by the Freedom Flag Foundation. The steel will become a permanent fixture at the Virginia State Police Academy.

The Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation Fairfax Field Office has closed a 52-year-old homicide investigation.  Shirley L. Washington, 33, of Washington, D.C. was found murdered in Conway Robinson State Forest outside Gainesville, Va., on December 8, 1973. 

From April 15, 2026, through April 21, 2026, the Virginia State Police, in partnership with supporting federal and local agencies, achieved significant criminal interdictions. Their ongoing efforts led to the seizure of narcotics and the investigation of multiple crimes throughout the Commonwealth.

The Virginia State Police (VSP) continue to search for a former Wise County football coach who is facing 10 warrants and disappeared nearly four months ago.

A significant winter weather event is scheduled to impact most of the Commonwealth this weekend. Now is the time to prepare. Please visit vaemergency.gov for tips.

On Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, the commonwealth will graduate its 144th generation of Virginia State Troopers. The 94 new troopers will be presented with their diplomas during commencement exercises at 10 a.m. at the State Police Training Academy located at 7700 Midlothian Turnpike in North Chesterfield County. This is the largest graduating class of trooper-trainees since 2018.

A significant winter storm is expected to impact the entire Commonwealth this weekend. The storm starts as snow for everyone, arriving in the western part of the state Saturday afternoon, progressing eastward into later Saturday evening. It is expected to last through Monday morning.

After 32 years of service in law enforcement, Colonel Matthew D. Hanley, Superintendent of Virginia State Police, has issued the following statement, regarding his retirement: “It has been an honor to serve this great Commonwealth as a longstanding member of the Virginia State Police. I am proud of the incredible work the agency has accomplished and am grateful for the commitment that our sworn and professional staff provide daily.  Virginia is in a better place today because of their dedication and I will greatly miss serving alongside them.”

A Virginia State Trooper, along with numerous unidentified Good Samaritans, helped rescue a 34-year-old Maryland man from a burning Tesla on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025.

Preliminary data indicates that six people died on Virginia’s roadway over the 2025 Thanksgiving holiday.  The number is two fewer than in 2024, when eight people died in fatal crashes.*  As of Dec. 1, 2025, preliminary data shows there have been 671 fatalities on Virginia roadways this year, compared to 788 in 2024.

Virginia State Police is offering guidance and recommendations to curb aggressive driving along Virginia’s roadways. Aggressive driving is always a concern for Virginia State Police. In recent weeks, shootings have occurred along multiple interstates that have prompted public concern.

From October 1-7, 2025, the Virginia State Police, in partnership with supporting federal and local agencies, achieved significant criminal interdictions. Their ongoing efforts led to the recovery of firearms, the seizure of narcotics, the seizure of U.S. currency, and the investigation of multiple crimes throughout the Commonwealth.

Virginia State Police and Liberty University’s Helms School of Government have launched a novel partnership that will provide a unique pathway for criminal justice students to complete their degree while launching their careers in law enforcement.

Virginia State Police are reminding Virginians of a new state law requiring all drivers and passengers to wear a seat belt after preliminary data showed six people died in six crashes on Virginia roadways over the Labor Day Holiday.  In three of the crashes, the victims were reportedly not wearing a seat belt, and in a fourth crash, it could not be determined if the victim was restrained. 

Vader, a specially trained Labrador retriever, has officially joined the Virginia State Police and will support the Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) team within the Department’s Wellness Program.

On June 26, 2025, James River Regional Drug Task Force members, along with members of the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office, executed a search warrant in the 200 block of Byrnes Street, Goodview Va. Virginia State Police task force members seized approximately 2,041 grams of suspected cocaine, 1,000 grams of suspected heroin, 1000 grams of fentanyl, 283 grams of suspected methamphetamine, and 56 grams of suspected crack cocaine, (total approximate street value of $440,000).

Virginia State Police is aware of multiple social media posts raising concerns about missing children across the Commonwealth of Virginia. Virginia State Police is not investigating any reports of mass abductions in Virginia, nor is there evidence of mass abductions occurring in Virginia.

Preliminary data shows that 11 people lost their lives in nine traffic crashes during the four-day Fourth of July holiday statistical counting period (July 3-July 6).  There were two double fatal crashes: one involving an all-terrain vehicle in Orange County on July 4th, and a wrong-way head-on collision in the Express Lanes of Interstate 495 on July 6th.  There was also a pedestrian fatal crash in Buckingham County on July 4th.

From June 26 to July 2, 2025, the Virginia State Police, in partnership with supporting federal and local agencies, achieved significant criminal interdictions. Their ongoing efforts led to the recovery of firearms, the seizure of narcotics, the seizure of U.S. currency, one homicide, and the investigation of multiple crimes throughout the Commonwealth.

With the Fourth of July landing on a Friday this year, traffic is expected to be heavy around the Independence Day holiday weekend.   As a result, Virginia State Police is asking drivers to please be patient while traveling the roads, and to drive within the speed limits.  As of June 30, 2025, preliminary data shows there have been 337 fatalities on Virginia roadways.