Charges filed in killing of Smyth deputy, wounding of another (2024)

MARION — As the Smyth County community mourns the line-of-duty death of a 27-year-old sheriff’s deputy and the wounding of another, Commonwealth’s Attorney Phillip Blevins filed charges against the suspect in the early morning hours of Saturday.

The tragedy began with what local and state law enforcement officials said was a routine traffic stop on Highway 16 in Marion at around 5 p.m. Friday. Marion police attempted to stop a vehicle in town, but the driver did not pull over and stop until a spot near the state fish hatchery.

The Smyth County deputies responded to assist the Marion officers.

As a citation was being issued, Marion Police Chief John Clair said, the vehicle’s driver became agitated, and a deputy went to check on him. The suspect then fired at the officers and deputies, striking both deputies. Officers returned fire, wounding the 65-year-old man.

Deputy Hunter D. Reedy died at the scene. Deputy Michael Fedorchuk was airlifted to a hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery.

On Saturday morning, Blevins said he and his staff visited Fedorchuk at the hospital on Friday night and that he “is expected to fully recover.”

On Friday night, Smyth Sheriff Chip Shuler said the family members of the slain deputy as well as his department are devastated and heartbroken.

“He was a good, decent man. He is going to be missed by all of us,” he said of the deputy. “It’s just senseless. No sense whatsoever.”

Shuler said it is the first time an officer has been killed in the line of duty during his long tenure with the department.

Reedy leaves behind his wife, Bettina, and three young children and numerous family members and friends, many of whom described their profound loss and heartbreak on social media.

Blevins said Timothy Wayne Goodman, of North Carolina, will face one count of aggravated murder, four counts of attempted aggravated murder and using a firearm in the commission of a felony.

Goodman was also flown to a hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

“The heartbreaking death of Deputy Reedy is profound. We are mourning the loss of a father, husband, son, friend and community hero,” Blevins said Saturday.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Deputy Reedy, Deputy Fedorchuk and the other officers who were targeted in this senseless act of violence," he added. "We extend our deepest gratitude to the law enforcement partners who responded to this critical situation and to the community for their support during this difficult time.”

Washington County and Wythe County sheriff’s deputies were on hand to cover calls and help their peers with the Smyth Sheriff’s Office on Friday night.

Clair also shared his gratitude for the outpouring of support. “We so much appreciate all the support we’ve received, and we just ask you keep us in your prayers,” the chief said during a Friday night news conference.

“This is not the kind of thing that happens in this region. ... This person came from outside our community and brought this violence here,” Clair said.

The chief reflected, “I think it’s indicative of the kind of instability that we’ve got in American society when you have police officers out doing very good work trying to keep communities safe and after the event is over you see an act of absolutely senseless violence that took the life of one of our heroes who’s a father and husband and a pillar of the community.”

At the request of Clair and Shuler, the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Wytheville Field Office is investigating the fatal shooting.

Also speaking at the news conference were state Sen. Travis Hackworth and state Del. Jed Arnold.

“There is no words you can say in this senseless murder,” Hackworth said. “As the chief said, this is not a place that this happens so we’re very heartbroken and our prayers are definitely with the law enforcement community.”

“This is the type of violence that just does not occur here,” said Arnold, a lifelong resident of the county. He said he knows both deputies and both are “honest, decent men who went about their jobs with the utmost pride and care for their fellow citizens.”