On Wednesday, Virginia State Police posted a letter from Trooper Chad Dermyer's family, thanking the department, the community and the nation for all the love and support.
"That is why we want to acknowledge and express our deep appreciation for the tremendous compassion and patriotism displayed by the community this past week, exactly mirroring those traits that made Chad exceptional. Our family felt the warm embrace, compassion and respect for him as we grieved his death."
"Chad had many talents and gifts, which made him not only a loving and devoted family man, but also a remarkable trooper. He had a passion for helping others and that is why he chose to serve in the Marines as well as law enforcement. He was guided by his innate compassion and empathy for others, and his good instincts made him standout among his peers."
Trooper Dermyer was shot and killed by a man with a lengthy criminal record last week at a Richmond Greyhound station. Before moving to Virginia, he served on the city of Jackson's police force. He was a graduate of Columbia Central High School.
