Crime and Public Safety

MARCH 30 UPDATE: Roanoke Police have identified the victim in this incident as Cassandra Pizzi, 33 of Roanoke. This incident is being investigated as a homicide. The investigation is ongoing.
NEWS RELEASE:
On March 27, 2020 at about 7:30 am, Roanoke Police responded to a report of a person down in the 1000 block of 4th St SE. Arriving officers located an adult female deceased in a wooded area. This incident is being investigated as a suspicious death at this time. The investigation is ongoing.  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 County Police Department: On March 24, 2020 at approximately 0106am officers with the Roanoke County Police Department responded to a disturbance with weapons call at 4333 Electric Rd (Copper Croft Apts.). The call was upgraded while officers were en route to a shooting call a single victim had been shot in the leg. Upon officers arriving and securing the scene the victim was treated and transported to a local hospital by paramedics for a non-life threatening wound to his leg. The suspect had already fled the scene before officers arrived in a possible silver sedan or an AUDI.

Police in Richmond sought on Saturday information about a homicide in which a 16-year-old youth died.

Richmond police said officers were called about a shooting reported on the city’s east side and found the male teenager inside a convenience store. He had collapsed there after being shot Thursday evening outside the retailer, police said in a news release.

The teenager, whose name was not released at his family’s request, was pronounced dead about 20 minutes after the initial call. No charges have been filed.

A male adult inside the store at the time was also shot. He was taken to a hospital with a non-life threatening injury, according to the Richmond Police Department.

File Roanoke Police photo

The next Roanoke police chief will need no introduction to the force — but he will have to get reacquainted with it. City Manager Bob Cowell announced today he is appointing Sam Roman to head the Roanoke Police Department.
Roman is currently Lexington’s police chief, but before heading there, he served 25 years with Roanoke Police, rising then to the rank of Deputy Chief.

NEWS RELEASE: After a Nation-wide search that resulted in panel interviews with five outstanding finalists, the City of Roanoke has appointed Samuel Roman, Jr. to join us as the next Chief of the Roanoke Police Department. Roman currently serves as the Police Chief in Lexington, after having served for 25 years in Roanoke rising to the rank of Deputy Chief.

The City of Roanoke went through a rigorous process of searching for Roanoke’s new Police Chief.  That process included community meetings, online surveys and community conversations. The City of Roanoke intended to introduce the finalist to the community via a community meet-and-greet prior to a final announcement.  However in light of the current prohibition on group gatherings, this simply is not possible at this time. The good news is many in our community already know Chief Roman and what he offers the City. A welcome event will be conducted at a later date.

“We are so pleased with the selection of Sam Roman as our new Police Chief,” said Mayor Sherman Lea. “Sam knows our community and has a history of working with our neighborhoods to build strong relationships. We are confident his leadership will ensure our Police Department remains one of the most exemplary departments in the Nation.”

“It is with great enthusiasm I accept the position as Chief of Police for the City of Roanoke,” says Roman. “Returning to the department where my law enforcement career began nearly 28 years ago is an opportunity that I do not take lightly.  I am grateful to all involved in the search and selection process. To be entrusted with the safety and security of the officers and citizens of Roanoke is an honor. I look forward to rebuilding strong community connections, building upon the existing nationally recognized policing standards, and cultivating the existing relationships with the officers, department leadership, and the entire City.”

Roman will begin his service as Roanoke’s Police Chief on March 31.

From the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office: The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call at approximately 3:30pm on March 15, 2020 alerting of a homicide at 10322 Virgil Goode Highway in Rocky Mount, Virginia. Franklin County Sheriff’s Office responded, along with Virginia State Police and Franklin County Public Safety. The victim, 59-year-old Denny Smith of Rocky Mount, was found deceased in his home from a gunshot wound. The suspect, 55-year-old Gregory Kendrick of Rocky Mount, was arrested on scene. Kendrick has been charged with second degree murder and is being held at the Franklin County Jail with no bond.

FRANKLIN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE UPDATE:  The shots fired call on Greenway Road in Glade Hill, Virginia has resulted in a homicide investigation. Jon-Matthew Sheffield, 35 years old of Glade Hill, received a fatal gunshot wound during an altercation. Franklin County Sheriff’s Office deputies and EMS arrived on scene where Mr. Sheffield was pronounced dead. This was an isolated incident and there is no threat to the community. The investigation is ongoing at this time.

PREVIOUS:  At approximately 7:25pm on Saturday, March 14, 2020, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shots fired call on Greenway Road in Glade Hill, Virginia. Deputies are on scene for investigation. There is no threat to the community.