VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Officer Christopher Reese, 30, was one of two Virginia Beach Police officers shot and killed in the line of duty Friday night while trying to conduct a traffic stop.
Before he was a police officer, Virginia Beach Sheriff Rocky Holcomb said Reese was one of their extremely talented deputies.
“He would brighten up the room whenever he came in,” recalled Holcomb. “He was always able to crack a smile with someone and make them enjoy themselves.”
Not only did Officer Reese have an extremely positive attitude. Sheriff Holcomb said he was also an extremely hard worker. That’s exactly what he was doing Friday night, when police say he and 25-year-old Officer Cameron Girvin were shot and killed while on-duty.
“Heartbroken, what an unbelievable guy,” said Holcomb.
Despite the loss, first responders are still working around the clock. Virginia Beach Police Chief Paul Neudigate said many of his officers are young, like Reese and Girvin. To help during this difficult time, Sheriff Holcomb said there are ways you can help the law enforcement community continue to protect the city.
“The number one thing we can do is comply,” Sheriff Holcomb said about interacting with police. “Make sure you’re showing your hands, make sure to roll your windows down. Answer the questions and be sure to cooperate with law enforcement.”
At the end of the day, Holcomb said it’s important to remember that behind the badge are people doing their job. People with families, just like everyone else.
“Some loved ones got some very tight hugs on Saturday when they got this news,” he said. “When you go home and take this uniform off… I can promise you there’s some loved ones that got a phone call, ‘Hey, I love you’ or ‘Hey, thank you’.”
Reese served in the Virginia Beach Police Department since 2022. He worked with the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office from 2019-2022.
According to the GoFundMe for Reese’s family, Reese was passionate about law enforcement and serving his community.
In addition to the GoFundMe, donations are also being accepted for his family at the Virginia Beach Police Foundation.