VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Two Virginia Beach Police officers were shot and killed in the line of duty late Friday night.
At approximately 11:30 p.m., two officers observed a blue Hyundai Sonata with an expired plate. They conducted a traffic stop, but the driver, later identified as John McCoy III, 42, did not pull over until reaching a dead end.
Initially refusing to exit the vehicle, McCoy eventually complied and got into an altercation with the officers. He then pulled a pistol from his pocket and shot both officers, according to the Virginia Beach police chief. They fell to the ground, and he shot them each a second time.
Officers Cameron Girvin, 25, and Christopher Reese, 30, were pronounced dead at nearby hospitals, where they were surrounded by family and friends.
Virginia Beach Police released the official portraits of Girvin and Reese after their families approved.
The suspect, John McCoy III, was found suffering from a fatal gunshot wound to the head in a nearby shed. The gunshot wound appeared to be self-inflicted, according to authorities.
VBPD confirmed to 10 On Your Side there was a second person in the car. Police will not be releasing their information and that person is cooperating with investigations, they said.
VBPD confirmed that McCoy had previous criminal history. VBPD says he was convicted of a felony in 2009.
Virginia Beach Police Chief Paul Neudigate and Mayor Bobby Dyer held a press conference at 2:30 p.m. Saturday to update the public on the incident and the tragic losses.
Girvin had been with the police department since 2020, and Reese since 2022.
Reese was previously with the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office from 2019-2022.
“He was a crime fighter. He was dedicated to this community,” said Sheriff Rocky Holcomb.
Chief Neudigate stated VBPD is a “young workforce.” He said many may not remember the last time a Virginia Beach officer was killed in the line of duty, in 2008, and VBPD is working to support all the officers during this time.
This is the first time since 1979 that Virginia Beach lost two officers in one incident.
“This is very earth shattering for them, and we’re very concerned about how they’re going to process and move forward,” said Chief Neudigate.
During the press conference, the police chief stated that effective immediately all officers will be doubled up in cars, so no police officers will be out in the field alone.
“What this does is give our officers the ability to have someone in that car with them, to help process, help try to make sense of what occurred, and to make them feel that they have a semblance of safety,” said Chief Neudigate.
Community expresses condolences
Condolences have poured in from across the law enforcement community.
Rep. Jen Kiggans also shared her condolences on social media.
“This morning, our entire community mourns the tragic loss of two brave Virginia Beach police officers who were killed in the line of duty last night,” Kiggans wrote on X. “As we await more information, please join me in praying for their loved ones and the Virginia Beach Police Department. Let justice be swift for those responsible.”
State Sen. Aaron Rouse, a former Virginia Beach councilman, said the following:
“Devastating news. Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the tragic loss of one @VBPD officer and the serious injury of another. We are awaiting further details. Please keep their families in your prayers during this difficult time.”
“I tell folks that when you put this badge on, it weighs only a few ounces, but it’s very heavy in moments like this. And you can always feel the weight of this badge in these tough times,” said Sheriff Rocky Holcomb.
Two police cars surrounded by flowers lay at the Fourth Precinct to remember Officers Reese and Girvin.
Click here to donate to the families of the officers.
Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.
