Crime and Public Safety
(from State Police) ROANOKE, Va. – At the request of the United States Marshals Service (USMS) of the Western District of Virginia, the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Salem Field Office is investigating a death that occurred during a felony traffic stop in Roanoke County.
On Sept. 27 the USMS Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force was conducting an ongoing criminal investigation into a fugitive suspect known to be in the area of Route 220 in Roanoke County [near Hunting Hills]. Task force members identified a passenger in a Toyota pickup as the wanted individual and initiated a traffic stop at approximately 9 p.m. Task force members activated emergency lights and siren to initiate the traffic stop and the Toyota turned off Route 220 and stopped on Crossbow Court.
As the USMS members approached the Toyota, they heard a single gunshot. When the Marshals and task force members got to the vehicle, they found the passenger suffering from what appears to have been a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Law enforcement on scene immediately rendered aid to the passenger, who was later identified as Joshua R. Donahue, 47, of Roanoke. Donahue was transported by EMS to Roanoke Memorial Hospital, where he later died. The remains were transported to the Medical Examiner’s Office in Roanoke for examination and autopsy. No law enforcement on scene discharged their weapons. The adult male driver of the pickup truck was not injured in the shooting.
Check out the link below for information on Hurricane Ian’s impact in Florida, from the Department of Emergency Management.
Federal prosecutors are looking to seize control of a Roanoke County motel they say was a haven for drugs and commercial sex trafficking. WFIR’s Clark Palmer has that story.
Robert Weiss VT photo
Its final pathway before hitting landfall in Florida along the Gulf Coast may still not be finalized yet, but Hurricane Ian is expected to bring significant flooding and damage from high winds – and the tornadoes it may also spawn. WFIR’s Gene Marrano spoke with a Virginia Tech expert on coastal hazards.
A documentary called “Sextortion – the Hidden Pandemic” has a free showing this Thursday night at the Grandin Theatre, followed by a panel discussion. Its a fast-growing crime and involves compromising photos sent online to someone who then uses them to extort money or even more-revealing photos. WFIR’s Gene Marrano spoke with the husband and wife film-making team – and he has more, “In Depth.”
Virginia State Police are investigating a crash in Henry County involving a Henry County school bus and another vehicle. The crash occurred at 8-15 a.m. on River Road. There were two minor injuries on the bus and the driver and passenger of the other vehicle involved were transported to the hospital in Martinsville.
Charges are pending on the driver of the vehicle that struck the bus.
September 22, 2022 – Roanoke County Chief of Police Howard B. Hall today announced he will be retiring, effective January 1, 2023.
“It has been an honor and privilege to serve as Chief of the Roanoke County Police Department for the past decade,” said Hall. “Everyone in our agency should be proud of the work that has been done and the accomplishments that have been achieved towards keeping our communities safe. I am confident that the leadership within the department will carry on this proud tradition as we move towards the future.”
Hall has worked in law enforcement for nearly 40 years, serving 26 in Baltimore County, MD prior to coming to Roanoke County. He was sworn in as the Roanoke County Police Chief in August 2012 and led a nationally accredited agency of 140 sworn and 16 civilian personnel. In his time with Roanoke County, Hall is credited with development of an officer wellness program; construction of the Roanoke County Criminal Justice Academy; incorporation of a data-driven approach to crime and traffic safety; officer training for response to individuals in mental health crises; and working alongside the school system to increase safety measures.
Roanoke Police have sought a petition for Threat by Writing or Electronic Message to Kill or do Harm (class six felony) on a fourteen-year-old juvenile female regarding threats made against William Fleming High School staff and students. The petition has been served and the teen will be transported to the Roanoke Valley Juvenile Center. Thank you to all our public safety partners and Roanoke City Public Schools personnel who worked with us diligently on this case. We greatly appreciate your commitment to helping us keep the schools in Roanoke safe.
Reminder to our Roanoke City Public Schools students — your words have consequences. Things you say or text can hurt and scare others, and there can be serious repercussions. These are not funny jokes. If your words are alarming enough to rise to the attention of law enforcement, you could face misdemeanor and/or felony charges. These are consequences that will follow you for the rest of your life. Please remember to take a step back and think before you say something or send a message you might regret.
A pedestrian is dead after a hit and run crash in Bedford County. State police say the crash occurred after midnight this morning on Route 460 – less than a mile west of Route 811 in Bedford County. Officials say 26-year-old, Aaron Collins, of Conchord was walking in the westbound lanes of Route 460 when a vehicle fatally struck him. Evidence left at the scene suggests the vehicle was possibly a 2004-2007 BMW 500 Series.
(From Roanoke City Fire EMS Facebook page)
(Update 4pm) Last night at 11:46 p.m., Roanoke Fire-EMS was dispatched to the 3700 block of Stratford Park Drive for reports of a structure fire. First arriving units found flames and smoke showing from an apartment building and upgraded the call to a two-alarm response, to which Fire-EMS personnel responded with a full complement within 8 minutes of dispatch. Due to the size of the building and the life safety issues related to the largely senior and disabled population who reside at the location, the call was upgraded to general alarm, resulting in all available Fire-EMS units being dispatched to the scene. Early in the response effort, three individuals in cardiac arrest were rescued from the building; two were resuscitated and transported to area hospitals, and the third was pronounced dead on scene.
Numerous rescues and extractions were performed in addition to the first three. Two patients were transported to local hospitals with non-life threatening injuries related to smoke inhalation, and numerous others were treated and released on scene. No injuries to Fire-EMS staff have been reported. Approximately 100 people and multiple pets have been displaced as a result of the fire. These
individuals are being assisted by the American Red Cross. The Fire Marshal’s Office has determined the fire was accidental, and began as a result of improperly discarded smoking materials. The damages to the building and its contents is estimated to be $1,650,000.
From Roanoke City Fire EMS Department: Shortly before midnight, Roanoke Fire-EMS was dispatched to reports of a structure fire on the 3700 block of Stratford Park Dr. Upon arrival, units found flames showing from an apartment building. Multiple residents were rescued from the building. Five residents were transported to local hospitals. Unfortunately, one fatality has been reported. Crews are still on scene and the fire is under investigation. More information will be released at a later time.