Lawmakers, State Troopers, members of the WV Sheriff’s Association, and the public gathered this afternoon in the lower rotunda at the State Capitol to honor the State Troopers who put their lives on the line and those who gave the ultimate sacrifice on August 28, 2012 after responding to an erratic driving call.
Corporal Marshall Bailey and Trooper Eric Workman arrested a young driver, handcuffed him, and placed him in the back of their cruiser for erratic driving. While waiting on a tow truck to arrive, the suspect pulled out a hidden handgun and shot and killed both troopers.
When Frank Massey, the tow truck driver, arrived to the scene he found both troopers and then was also shot by the suspect who then fled the scene. Massey still managed to get back to his truck and call for help. Roane and Clay County Deputies responded to the call and found the suspect in the woods; an exchange of gunshots followed. Roane County Deputy, John Westfall, was shot by the suspect, but fortunately, was wearing a bulletproof vest that left him wounded but alive. The suspect was killed after an exchange of fire between him and Clay County Deputies Chris Legg and Chris Davis and Corporal Robert Belt.
Today in the Senate Chamber, Bill Laird, the Senator from Fayette County and former Sheriff of Fayette County introduced Senate Bill 360 which would issue ballistic vests to deputy sheriffs upon receiving law-enforcement certification. A similar measure, House Bill 2717 was introduced in the House by lead sponsor Delegate Bob Ashley, who represents Roane County.
