Web Staff
ROANOKE, VA – The Roanoke City Sheriff’s Office has initiated an internal investigation into a deputies alleged misconduct. To prohibit bias and to ensure transparency, the Virginia State Police were contacted and asked to proceed with the investigation. As this investigation is on-going, no additional information can be provided at this time. The Sheriff’s Office, led by Sheriff Antonio Hash wants to convey to the public, there are no additional security threats against the agency, detention center, nor the residents within the facility. It is believed this is an isolated incident, however, the agency awaits the results of the investigation.
(VA ABC photo)
Virginia ABC officials will host a grand opening ceremony in downtown Roanoke on Campbell Avenue Monday at noon – in the same location that once housed a state-run liquor store for more than 30 years until the early 80’s. The new ABC store even features the original terrazzo flooring.
(from Roanoke PD 1:30pm) Roanoke Police Officer involved in officer-involved shooting on Stratford Park Drive SW, Virginia State Police handling investigation. On January 25, 2023 at approximately 7:19 a.m., Roanoke Police were notified by the City of Roanoke E-911 Dispatch Center of a disorder in the 3700 block of Stratford Park Drive SW. An officer responded to the scene and located an adult male outside on a sidewalk in the area. The officer attempted to speak with the man, who appeared to be agitated. The man grew more aggressive, made several threats to “kill” the officer, and ignored the officer’s attempts at de-escalation. The male subject produced a knife and began moving towards the officer, who continued attempts to verbally deescalate the situation while backing away from the male subject.
As the man continued advancing towards the officer, the officer fired one shot from his service weapon, striking the male subject. Roanoke Fire-EMS transported the man to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment. No Roanoke Police Officers were injured during this incident.
In accordance with department policy, Virginia State Police were notified and will be investigating this incident. The officer involved will be placed on administrative leave, per department policy. Virginia State Police will be releasing further updates.
EARLIER UPDATE: One person is hospitalized following an officer involved shooting this morning at Leehy Manor apartments along Stratford Park drive in Southwest Roanoke. An officer was attempting to de-escalate the situation when the person pulled out a knife. The suspect’s injuries are not life threatening.
Previous: There are reports of a heavy police presence this morning at Leehy Manor apartments along Stratford Park drive in Southwest Roanoke. Police have not confirmed what is going on. Several social media posts indicate police had to resolve a domestic situation. Roanoke City School Buses have been unable to continue routes near the scene.
This morning at 3:25 a.m., Roanoke Fire-EMS was dispatched for reports of a structure fire on the 1300 block of Purcell Ave NE. First arriving units found flames showing from the roof where one civilian was also trapped. Fire-EMS personnel rescued the trapped civilian, evacuated four additional occupants, and brought the fire under control within 30 minutes.One civilian was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. No injuries to Fire-EMS personnel were reported. Four residents were displaced. An investigation determined the cause of the fire was accidental electrical. Damages to the structure and its contents are estimated to be $30,000.
Elijah Campbell
Update: Elijah Campbell has been found safe this evening in Bristol, TN. There are no other details to provide at this time
Previous:Roanoke County Police are searching for a 17 year-old with autism in the Mt. Pleasant area of the County. Police say Elijah Campbell has been missing since approximately 2:00 a.m. Elijah was last seen near his residence off of Rutrough Road, wearing a gray t-shirt and black shorts.
Elijah is described as a black male, approximately 5’4″, 105 lbs, with brown hair and brown eyes. He also has a cast on his leg. Elijah is part of the police department’s Project Lifesaver program and has wandered off before. Officers are unable to locate him through the tracking device at this time.
Anyone with information about Elijah is asked to call the Emergency Communications Center at (540) 562-3265.
From Boys and Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia: After six years of dedicated work to further the critical mission of Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia (BGCSWVA), Michelle Davis has stepped down from her role as CEO as of December 31, 2022, to assume a position with Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA).
During her tenure, Michelle has been a driving force behind BGCSWVA’s growth and success as an organization. A brief sample of her many accomplishments include:
Growing the organization’s footprint from 1 to 11 Clubs and adding Roanoke County, Salem City, Montgomery County, and Franklin County to the list of municipalities served.
Driving the Takeout Hunger Campaign with area nonprofits and restaurant partners to battle hunger for local families during the COVID-19 pandemic and leading the team through a revamped program structure to stay open for 57 weeks of full-day care when schools transitioned to virtual learning.
Quadrupling the employee count.
Quintupling organizational revenue in under five years.
Enhancing the organization’s brand throughout Southwest Virginia.
Revitalizing key strategic community partnerships.
Michelle states, “Leading the team at BGCSWVA has been an incredible honor and I am so proud of all that we’ve accomplished in six years! Our Board of Directors is one of the best in Roanoke, passionate about helping kids and devoted to the mission. The future is bright for young people in the region because of our donors, staff, and Board who know that our kids are the greatest and most important investment.”
The Board of Directors has unanimously and enthusiastically approved the appointment of Senior Director of Programming, Rebekah Meadows, as Interim CEO of BGCSWVA, effective January 1, 2023.
Rebekah shares, “I am so grateful for Michelle’s leadership at Boys & Girls Clubs and in our community over the past six years. We will miss her energy and creativity at BGCSWVA, but it is exciting to watch her move into a role she is so well suited for at BGCA. I appreciate the Board’s trust in me to lead our amazing team during this time of transition and look forward to the Club’s next chapter of serving youth in our area.”
Michelle’s vision and leadership will be greatly missed by the staff, Board, and nonprofit partners.
Board Chair Scott Jenkins says, “I have been fortunate to work with Michelle closely during my two terms. Michelle has consistently demonstrated an attitude of ownership in her work as CEO. She exhibited a strong sense of pride and passion in her leadership. Michelle successfully developed key partnerships in the Roanoke Valley and helped our organization expand into Franklin and Montgomery Counties. While we will miss Michelle, we are fortunate that she is “staying in the family” as she embarks on her new career with Boys & Girls Club of America. We wish Michelle the best in her new chapter. We are truly thankful for the energy, passion, and love she has shown to our community, organization, and, most importantly, our Club kids.”
Over the next several months, the Board will conduct a thorough search to find BGCSWVA’s next Chief Executive Officer. The Board’s priority is to find a dynamic leader with a true passion for BGCSWVA’s mission: To enable young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.
On 01-01-23 at 4:56 a.m. Roanoke Police were notified by Roanoke City E-911 of a person with a gunshot wound in the 3600 block of Williamson Rd NE. Upon arrival Officers found an adult male with a gunshot wound. The injury was serious but doesn’t appear to be life threatening. He was alert and able to talk with responders but is not cooperating with the investigation. Preliminary investigation shows the subject walked to this area after being shot. The adult male was transported to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment by Roanoke Fire-EMS.
Further details about what led to the shooting are limited. No suspects were located on scene and no arrests have been made at this time. This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call(540)344-8500 and share what you know. You can also text us at 274637; please begin the text with “RoanokePD” to ensure it’s properly sent. Both calls and texts can remain anonymous.
On December 31, 2022 at approximately 11:10 p.m., Roanoke Police were notified by the City of Roanoke E-911 Center of 2 people with gunshot wounds in the 2800 block of Melrose Ave NW. Responding Officers located 2 juvenile victims outside and inside of a business in the area. The injuries are serious but do not appear to be life-threatening. Roanoke Fire-EMS transported the juveniles for treatment at a local hospital.
Further details about what led to the shooting are limited. No suspects were located on scene and no arrests have been made at this time. This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call(540)344-8500 and share what you know. You can also text us at 274637; please begin the text with “RoanokePD” to ensure it’s properly sent. Both calls and texts can remain anonymous.
From Roanoke City: For the ninth year in a row, properties located in the City of Roanoke have experienced strong growth in value. Total values of real estate in the City of Roanoke are approaching $10 billion. Based on the preliminary real estate assessment performed by the City, market values of properties in the City have increased by nearly 10% over last year’s values. This increase is led by the performance of multi family residences, which increased in market value by 15% year over year. The strength of this market can be seen in projects under construction such as the multi million-dollar re-development of the former Sheraton Hotel site in Northwest Roanoke and projects currently working their way through the development approval process, including the recently announced project on Orange Avenue – at 768 units, the largest such project in the City’s history. It is projected that $112 million in tax revenue will be raised in FY24 from taxes on real estate – slightly under $10 million more than in the current fiscal year.
This increase in revenue helps fund the increasing costs of operating the Roanoke City Public Schools, compensation for the City workforce including police officers and firefighters along with providing the many public services delivered by the City. The City Council will receive a briefing on Tuesday, January 3rd regarding the increase in values and the real estate assessment process as part of its annual budget preparations. Additional information, including the presentation that will be used in the briefing, may be found on the City’s website at
https://roanokeva.portal.civicclerk.com/
Upon receipt of their real estate assessment, residents and property owners are encouraged to carefully review the information for accuracy. Property owners may appeal the assessment with Real Estate Valuation by February 1, 2023. Appeal forms may be found online here, in the lobby of the Municipal Building, and in all City libraries. Forms may be returned by mail or in the drop box in the lobby of the Municipal Building at Church Avenue S.W. Roanoke, Virginia 24011
Lucas John Donley
From Henry County Sheriff’s Office: On December 29, 2022, Investigators issued six felony warrants on Lucas John Donley, 36, of 1632 Carroll Ave., Roanoke, VA, for sexually assaulting a child.
Investigators have worked tirelessly to locate Donley. On the evening of December 29th, those investigators received information that Donley may have been in Kernersville, NC. Investigators from the Henry County Sheriff’s Office worked with the Kernersville, NC Police Department to follow up on those leads.
Officers from the Kernersville Police Department were able to locate Donley. When they approached him, he fled in a vehicle. Donley led law enforcement on a lengthy high-speed pursuit across multiple North Carolina jurisdictions. Donley eventually lost control of his car and crashed in Davie County, NC.
Donley was taken into custody and transported to a NC medical facility to receive treatment for his injuries. Donley will be extradited back to Henry County to be served with the six felony charges. He will also face multiple charges in NC related to the vehicle pursuit.
Sheriff Lane Perry would like to take this opportunity to thank the citizens who provided information, our media partners, and the many agencies who assisted with this investigation, including the Virginia State Police, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Patrick County Sheriff’s Office, the Martinsville-Henry County 911 Communications Center, Kernersville, NC Police Department and the many other North Carolina agencies involved in the pursuit of Donley.