VA Trooper Accidentally Killed 02-18-06

[Flying Dutchman]

My condolences to his family, friends and fellow troopers of the VSP. This is indeed sad - even more so because it was a senseless accident.
:angry:

There are far too many names on this memorial page now.


http://www.odmp.org/officer.php?oid=18148

[Crystal Pistol]

Yeah ..... 2years, 8 months ..... a kid. I hate that, I hate it for anyone.



I just found out about it today from a friend up that way. Seems it was one of those "freak" things in that the pickup was overturned and when the wrecker operator pulled it back over onto it's wheels, the rifle jarred and discharged. Tpr. Manion was standing over near another trooper's car and was struck by the round.

I'm guessing here (I don't know it to be so), but it sounds like maybe the rifle (obviously loaded and one chambered) was probably behind the seat and when the truck came back over, it fell back to the floor and the jarring was enough. Had it been in a gun rack, visable, I believe it would have been carefull removed before turning the truck back over just because of that possibility ... it's what we do here.

Could have happened to anyone on scene, or driving by. Kind of like being in the woods and getting killed by a falling 240 year old tree, except someone left the rifle loaded and one chambered. I have no problem with it being loaded, but there shouldn't ever be one chambered in those circumstances.

RIP Kevin..........

[Gator]

I read that story elsewhere,thats just bad and somewhat strange.

[USAF_2T2]

It goes to show that it can happen at anytime. I hate to hear stories like these. The sad part is that if the rifle's barrel was just 2-3 degrees left, right, or pointed down we would not be hearing about this. It happens all to often.

Keep us posted CP if you hear any more about it.