VIRGINIA STATE POLICE TO HONOR ITS FALLEN DURING 2023 ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS’ MEMORIAL SERVICE

RICHMOND – The men and women of the Virginia State Police and their families will gather May 24, 2023, to honor all public safety professionals who have given the ultimate sacrifice in their service to the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Department will unveil and dedicate the official portrait of Captain J. Gregory Blankenship, the former division commander of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s (BCI) Salem Field Office. Former Virginia State Police trooper and retired Bristol, Va. Police Chief Bill Price will serve as keynote speaker during the ceremony.  The Powhatan High School “One Voice” Concert Choir will perform the National Anthem.

Capt. Blankenship died Aug. 7, 2021, from complications related to COVID-19. He was 61 and had proudly served the Virginia State Police for 28 years. Following the ceremony, Capt. Blankenship’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 66 courageous men and women who died in the line-of-duty while serving the citizens of the Commonwealth. Blankenship is also among the thousands honored at the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Wednesday’s service will recognize all 67 of the Department’s law enforcement professionals who have died in the line of duty, to include a special tribute to the following sworn members in which 2023 marks a significant milestone: 

Inspector W. Neville Hatcher, 95 years                   Trooper Robert T. Lohr, 45 years

Sergeant Charles W. Puckett, 85 years                    Special Agent in Charge Rodney D. Grimes, 40 years        

Trooper Robert E. Caldwell, 75 years                       Trooper Jacqueline Vernon, 35 years

Trooper Walter S. Parrish, 70 years                         Trooper José M. Cavazos, 30 years

Trooper Garland M. Miller, 60 years                       Trooper Jessica J. Cheney, 25 years

Trooper Warren Y. Harless, 55 years                      Trooper Michael T. Blanton, 20 years

Trooper Rannie D. Kennedy, 50 years                      Master Trooper Junius A. Walker, 10 years

Each tribute includes a single bell toll and an Honor Guard salute. Additional information on those being honored is available at https://vsp.virginia.gov/about-us/woodson-gallery.

Virginia State Police 2023 Police Officers’ Memorial Service – Media are Invited to Attend
Date: Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Location: Virginia State Police Gymnasium, 7700 Midlothian Turnpike, North Chesterfield, Va.

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