Tragic Traffic Stop: Two Virginia Beach Police Officers Shot and Killed in Line of Duty

On a tragic Friday night in Virginia Beach, two police officers lost their lives during a traffic stop. Officer Cameron Girvin, 25, and Officer Christopher Reese, 30, stopped a car with expired plates around 11:27 p.m. The driver quickly became confrontational, stepping out of the vehicle and engaging in a struggle with the officers.

The driver, John McCoy III, 42, pulled out a gun and shot both officers. As they lay injured, he shot them again before fleeing the scene. Despite efforts to save them, both officers died later at the hospital.

Police Chief Paul Neudigate expressed deep sorrow for the loss. He shared that the department is hurting, stating, “Our hearts are broken.” In the aftermath, McCoy was found nearby in a shed with a self-inflicted gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene.

There was another person in the car with McCoy, but officials do not expect any charges against them. Officer Girvin had joined the force in 2020, while Officer Reese became part of the department in 2022, having previously served as a deputy sheriff.

Chief Neudigate mentioned that the entire incident was recorded on the officers’ body cameras and patrol car footage. He described the footage as “quite horrific,” noting how calmly McCoy walked away after the shootings.

The community is reeling from this tragedy. Virginia Beach, a city of around 450,000, feels the impact deeply. Mayor Bobby Dyer shared the city’s grief, saying, “Today our city is heartbroken.” The loss of these officers has resonated throughout this close-knit community, and they mourn together during this difficult time.

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