Shooting claims lives of VSP trooper, suspect

Published 10:12 am Tuesday, February 5, 2019

The Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Appomattox Field Office, in a news release, cited a shooting in Cumberland County that resulted in two deaths: the death of a Virginia State Police trooper and of the shooting suspect.

Trooper Lucas B. Dowell

The incident occurred Monday at a residence at 1532 Cumberland Road, located just outside the Town of Farmville, according to police.

According to the release, Trooper Lucas B. Dowell, 28, was a member of the Virginia State Police Tactical Team that was assisting the Piedmont Regional Drug and Gang Task Force with executing a search warrant at the residence.

Email newsletter signup

“The Tactical Team had made entry into the residence shortly before 10 p.m. Monday when an adult male inside the residence began shooting at them,” the release cited. “The Tactical Team members returned fire, fatally wounding the male suspect.”

The suspect, Corey Johnson, 44, of Cumberland County, Va. died at the scene. His remains were transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Richmond for examination and autopsy. Johnson was the only individual inside his residence at the time of the shooting. The search warrant was being conducted as part of an ongoing narcotics investigation.

Dowell, police reported, was transported to Southside Community Hospital in Farmville where he succumbed to his injuries.

No other troopers were injured in the shooting. In accordance with Virginia State Police policy, the two troopers who fired their weapons have been placed on administrative leave.

“This is an extremely difficult day for the State Police,” said Colonel Gary T. Settle, Virginia State Police Superintendent in a statement. “We are humbled by Lucas’ selfless sacrifice and grateful for his dedicated service to the Commonwealth. He will forever be remembered by his State Police Family for his great strength of character, tenacity, valor, loyalty and sense of humor.”

Police reported that Dowell is the Department’s 66th line of duty death. Dowell, from Chilhowie, graduated the Virginia State Police’s 122nd Basic Session in November 2014.

“Since graduation he has been assigned to the Virginia State Police Appomattox Division; his latest assignment was on patrol in Area 20, which encompasses the City of Lynchburg, and Amherst and Campbell counties,” the release cited. “He was a member of the Appomattox Division Tactical Team – the equivalent of a SWAT Team.”

Dowell is survived by his parents and a sister.

Cumberland County Sheriff Darrell Hodges said early Tuesday morning that Route 45, leading up to the investigation site, is currently closed. He and Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) officials recommended that motorists take River Road, leading to Jamestown Road and Route 45, or take South Airport Road, Route 637, leading into Plank Road, Route 600 to enter or leave Farmville. VDOT estimates that the detour would be in effect until late morning/early afternoon.

The release cited that funeral arrangements are pending.

This article has been updated from its previous version.