Injured Virginia Trooper
Kris Chapman
accepts driver’s apology

Written by Debra McCown of the Bristol Herald Courier.

Appearing in court in a wheelchair Monday, Virginia State Police Trooper Kris Chapman shook the hand of the man who admitted to driving drunk two months ago when he crashed his vehicle into Chapman’s parked cruiser on Interstate 81.

“I just told him that I thank him for manning up to his mistake,” Chapman said when asked what he said during a hushed conversation with Barry Dean Marshall II. “I just told him I continue to pray for him and his family.”

Chapman said he hopes Marshall gets his life in order and gets right with God.

In Smyth County General District Court on Monday, Marshall, 32, of Abingdon, pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and public intoxication.

“I’d like to apologize to Trooper Chapman,” Marshall told the court, choking up as he spoke. “Really, I had no intention ... I just thank you for your kindness.”

On Feb. 1, Chapman, 30, of Chilhowie, was sitting in his cruiser on the shoulder of southbound I-81 after a traffic stop. Police said a Ford F-150 truck driven by Marshall slammed into the cruiser at mile-marker 38.

Chapman was transported by helicopter to Bristol Regional Medical Center, where he was in intensive care for treatment of internal injuries and broken bones.

Marshall suffered minor injuries and was treated and released from Smyth County Community Hospital. He was charged with intoxicated driving and released when he posted a $1,500 bond.

Just 27 hours later, about two miles from the scene of the crash that injured Chapman, Marshall was again arrested, then as a passenger in a vehicle driven by a woman who was charged with drunk driving. He was charged with public intoxication and possession of a Schedule II controlled substance and released on a $13,000 bond.

Marshall agreed on Monday to serve 12 months in jail and pay $2,750 in fines. His driver’s license will be suspended for one year, and he must attend a 20-hour Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program on substance abuse and driving.

The drug charge was dismissed because Marshall had a prescription for the drug.

Under the plea deal, prosecutors agreed not to pursue a felony charge related to “permanent and significant physical impairment” resulting from intoxicated driving.

“We had a limited time to pursue the DUI, and we didn’t know when we’d be able to tell whether he [Chapman] has a permanent impairment,” Commonwealth’s Attorney Roy Evans said. “Hopefully, he’s going to be out of that wheelchair next month.”

Chapman said he’s grateful for the support he’s received from the community, which began when about 200 people showed up in the hospital waiting room on the night of the crash. He said he’s eager to get back to work.

“I feel that this chapter ... is closed. I’m very happy to get it behind me so me and my family can get on with our lives,” Chapman said.

His wife, Susan, said her family has been blessed. Chapman’s mother, mother-in-law, aunt and infant son were also in the courtroom.

“I’m just thankful the Lord brought Kris through this, and we’re thankful because we love him dearly,” said mother-in-law Peggy Harris.

Marshall had no comment after the hearing, but his lawyer, Donald A. McGlothlin, said his client also is praying for Chapman.

“This is a tragic situation,” McGlothlin said. “Barry has been an excellent member of the community and has worked hard all of his life ... this was a once-in-a-lifetime mistake that he made, and he knew he had the responsibility to stand here and take his punishment.”

Marshall’s father, Barry Dean Marshall I, said Chapman has been in his family’s prayers since the crash.

“I’m sorry that this incident happened, and I hope officer Chapman recovers fully.”

The author, Debra McCown, may be contacted by Email: dmccown@bristolnews.com and telepone number (276)791-0701. This article is posted online at TriCities.com.

Injured Trooper Helps Kick Off Highway 'Move Over' Effort

BRISTOL, Va. – Virginia State Police Trooper Kristopher Chapman is reminded everyday how critical it is for drivers to steer clear of officers and rescue workers stopped along Virginia’s highways.

Now, he is helping to insure that drivers entering the commonwealth know it’s their duty by law to do so.

Chapman nearly died Feb 2 after he was struck by a drunken driver while conducting a roadside stop in Smyth County.

On Wednesday, the trooper joined fellow law enforcement officials from around the commonwealth and John Marshall, the Virginia secretary of public safety, for the unveiling of three new signs intended to remind drivers that they are required by state law to slow down and move over when they see police or rescue vehicles ahead.

Read the entire NEWS ARTICLEwritten by Brent Carney of the Bristol Herald Courier.

The signs will appear along Interstates 81 and 77 where traffic enters Virginia from Tennessee, North Carolina and West Virginia.

While the signs are new, the Move Over law has been on the books in Virginia for six years.

Out of 40 states with a Move Over law, Virginia’s is among the harshest. Violators face a $2,500 fine and up to a year in jail.

Despite the serious punishment, authorities say many motorists still fail to move over, possibly because they take for granted how potentially serious of a threat they are to others, Chapman said.

"A vehicle also at 2,000 some odd pounds can be used as a weapon very easily. Everyone gets in a car and moves out to their day-to-day lives, but nobody thinks of that car as being a potential weapon," he said.

Marshall said the law also helps protect drivers.

"The vast majority of the time when a trooper is stopped on the side of the highway, a citizen either broke down on the side of the road or was involved in a crash or someone received a traffic stop.

Ultimately, by keeping the cars off the police vehicle, we’re also making it safer for the citizens," he said.

Chapman is still recovering from the crash and was seated in a wheelchair when he pulled the sheet away to reveal the new signs at the Virginia Welcome Center on Interstate 81 in Bristol.

Although he’ll likely continue to use the wheelchair for several more weeks, his recovery has stunned family and colleagues, many of whom were at the Wednesday news conference.

"Six weeks ago, we didn’t know where we would be," Chapman’s wife Susan said. "This is a godsend and a blessing, especially for our kids."

Chapman has been rehabilitating with a physical therapist and plans to return to his job as soon as he’s able. Helping reveal the new signs that he hopes will keep his co-workers safe was a first step.

"Mentally and emotionally to me, I’m in good spirits," he said. "If it keeps one person from even getting a scratch on them, I’ll do whatever it takes."

BRENT CARNEY, the author, is a Media General multimedia intern and can be reached at (276) 645-2568 or bcarney@bristolnews.com.

RICHMOND – A Virginia State Police trooper remains in the hospital Saturday after having been struck and severely injured by a drunk driver Friday night (Feb. 1, 2008) on Interstate 81 in Southwest Virginia.

Just before 11 p.m. Friday, Trooper K.S. Chapman stopped a vehicle traveling southbound on I-81 at the 38 mile marker in Smyth County. At approximately 11:07 p.m. as the trooper was finishing up the traffic stop and the stopped vehicle was pulling away, a Ford F-150 pickup truck ran into the back of the trooper’s vehicle. The pickup truck then crossed back over the southbound lanes of I-81 and ran off the left side of the road. The pickup overturned in the median and came to rest upside down. Meanwhile, the impact of the crash forced the trooper’s vehicle to cross the southbound lanes and come to rest off the left shoulder.

Trooper Chapman had been sitting in his marked 2006 Ford Crown Victoria, which was parked on the right shoulder of the southbound lanes of I-81 with its emergency lights activated, when the pickup truck crashed into his vehicle. Trooper Chapman was flown by Virginia State Police Med-Flight helicopter to the Bristol Regional Medical Center. His injuries are severe and he remains in intensive care.

Trooper Chapman, 30, is assigned to Smyth County and has been with the Virginia State Police for five years.

The driver of the pickup truck, Barry Dean Marshall II, 32, of Abingdon, Va., was taken by ambulance to Smyth County Community Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

Marshall has been charged with DUI. Additional charges are pending as the crash is still under investigation.

Also assisting at the scene and with the investigation were Chilhowie and Smyth County EMS, the Smyth County Sheriff’s Office, Town of Marion Police Department and Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC).

“This is the second Virginia State Police trooper in four months to be struck and seriously injured by a drunk driver,” said Colonel W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police Superintendent. “Impaired drivers put every motorist’s life at risk, including the lives of our public safety professionals.”

“With Super Bowl Sunday festivities upon us this weekend, the State Police are stressing that every driver be drug and alcohol free before getting behind the wheel,” continued Colonel Flaherty. “State police statewide will be out aggressively looking for impaired drivers Sunday night and into Monday morning, and with additional law enforcement on patrol I also emphasize the need for motorists to obey Virginia’s ‘Move Over’ law.”

Since 2002, Virginia law has required motorists to move over a lane or, if unable, to slow down when passing emergency services personnel and vehicles stopped on the side of a road and interstate.

“Move over, slow down and help protect those who protect you,” said Colonel Flaherty.

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Fondly written by Tammy Custis Batkins. There are so many wonderful things to say about Master Trooper Keith Marshall - B.K. He was a caring, dedicated trooper and human being; truly a Virginia Gentleman. He represented the badge with dignity, courage and honesty for 34 years. Keith was the epitome of an officer and a gentleman. He was a positive example to everyone.

As a teenager growing up on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, all of my friends feared Trooper B. K. Marshall. I couldn’t understand this as he was a very good friend of my father and I saw him as a gentle man with the brightest smile I had ever seen. When he smiled at you it simply melted your heart. I respected Trooper Marshall a great deal and tried to play devils advocate with my friends when they would talk bad about him because he had issued one of them a speeding ticket.

One night, I was driving my parents’ Ford station wagon on Rt. 360 when blue lights appeared in my rear view mirror. I pulled over to side of the road and up walked Trooper Marshall to the car. I will never forget the look of disappointment in his face or the words of reprimand he gave me. When he told me this was my one and only warning to slow it down, I nearly fainted. I could not believe he was not going to write me a summons. But I soon realized he had a larger lesson planned for me.

I said to him, “Trooper Marshall you aren’t going to tell my Father about this are you?”

He replied, “No, you are.”

Busted. Trooper Marshall knew that telling my Father about the incident would punish me much more than any summons. It took me over a week to tell my Dad and of course I was grounded for a long while but it was a lesson well learned and instrumented by a very special state trooper.

When I became an adult Trooper B. Keith Marshall continued to inspire me through his actions not only as trooper but as a child of God. My friend, Keith supported me through a very difficult time in my life and helped me see that through God all things are possible if we just put our faith in Him to carry us. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 Keith was once again right there for me with encouraging words and support not only for me but for my family as well. He too was battling cancer, but he took the time to encourage and uplift us. Keith and I learned quickly that the small stuff does not matter. What matters is that you surround yourself by those who lift you up and make you a better person.

As I sat at Keith’s funeral I came to realize that there were many, many others who's life he touched. He was instrumental in helping many young people change their lives around and become better people. I think if you ask the younger troopers who were born and reared on the Shore why they became troopers, you will get one overwhelming response – B.K.

However, I think the most wonderful gift that Keith gave to all who knew him was his unbelievable faith in the Lord. Keith was not one of those people who talked about being a Christian, he walked the talk and as someone who signed his guest book said, “Others saw Jesus in Him.” And how very true this is and continues to be following his death. As his pastor stated at his services, Keith’s hope was that all his friends who had not found the Lord would find Him that day as we said our farewells. Well, my dear, sweet friend, B.K., keep smiling that awesome bright smile of yours because you touched so many of us that day and helped us to get right with ourselves and the Great Almighty.

Thank you B.K. for helping me see the good in people and for inspiring me to achieve all things through Christ who strengthens us. I am truly blessed with a wonderful circle of true friends who take me for who I am and love me anyway and I walk with two very special angels (Daddy and B.K.)…..I love you both.

by Tammy Custis Batkins

Please help the VSPA help a dedicated Public Servant!

Mike Smith, a communications officer, serves in the Virginia State Police Division Six Headquarters located in Salem, Virginia, where he answers calls from the public, troopers and special agents for assistance. For fourteen years Mike has always been there for you and I. Now Mike is in great need of our help!

The VSPA has agreed to help Mike carry the financial burden of purchasing a specially equipped van to enable Mike to continue working - dispatching emergency services to aid the public and taking care of his troopers and special agents as they respond to protect the public. You can help by contributing to the Virginia State Police Association Emergency Relief Fund. Donations are tax deductible and 100% of your contribution will go to help Mike. Please indicate "for Mike Smith" in the memo section and mail your check to 6944 Forest Hill Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23225. If you prefer, you can donate by credit card by calling the VSPA Office at (804)320-6272. Janice or Sandra will be glad to help you.

Mike's Captain brought this need to the attention of the VSPA Board of Directors. Captain Richard A. Denney's letter to the VSPA, which is copied below, descibes Mike's dedication and service and provides details about Mike's illness and financial need.

From Captain Richard A. Denney...

Mike Smith has been a Division Six Dispatcher for the past 14 years and is an active member of the Virginia State Police Association. He resides in Riner with his wonderful supportive wife Cindy of 18 years and their two daughters Samantha age 14 and Kimberly age 13. They attend Auburn Baptist Church. Mike exerts more effort getting to work than most of us exert during an entire days work. He, Cindy and their two daughters get up at 4:30am every day to help get Mike ready for work. As a result of the muscular dystrophy's progression Mike has incurred enormous debt. His wife Cindy, who works for the Montgomery County School system, has tapped into her retirement. They have had to obtain a second mortgage to pay medical expenses and are financially strapped.

Mike's disease has progressed to the point he has lost use of his legs and arms. He is only able to move his fingers and hands. As a result of the progression of this terrible disease it has become imperative that he purchase a specialty vehicle equipped with a joy stick so he will be able to get to work everyday. He was hopeful he could have his current vehicle fitted with the equipment however; he was informed by the manufacture that would be impossible. Leaving Mike no choice but to purchase a vehicle that is capable of having this special equipment installed at a cost of $146,000. Through the generosity and kindness of others $94,000.00 was given in the form of grants and rebates which brought the total cost down to $52,000.00. This still is an enormous financial burden for this family to have to bear alone.

I as well as are many other members are aware of the association purchasing two specialty vehicles for a retired member paying the total cost. I see frequently that the association has helped people in other states as well. I commend the association for its kindness and devotion to their members as well as to the needs of others. We are not asking the association to pay the full cost of this specialty vehicle but only the remainder of what he has been unable to raise. Without this vehicle Mike will not be able to work and due to the enormous medical debt he has incurred from the progression of this disease, he will not be able to exist financially on disability.

I implore you in the spirit of human kindness and generosity to help Mike, who is an association member, purchase this much needed specialty equipment as you have helped others. Thank you for your consideration and help in this matter. I remain...

Sincerely,
Captain Richard A. Denney

To the entire State Police Family;

Beginning August 10, 2007 and ending on August 22, 2007, I had to go through the worse time of my life. My wife, Missy, wouldn't wake up the morning of the 10th. She passed away the morning of the 17th at Roanoke Memorial Hospital. On the 22nd we laid her to rest. While Missy had a hard year with illnesses, her passing was totally unexpected. The fact that we have a daughter that is 13 years old and a son that is 11 who won't have their mother has been a hard pill to swallow.

Let me say that the outpouring of support from the State Police family and the State Police Association has been remarkable. I don't know what I would have done without the assistance and support that has been shown to me from all over the state.

At Missy’s funeral there were several retired West Virginia Troopers there who had worked with my father. They stated to him how impressed they were with the showing of support that my family and I had received from the Department and its members. Also, I had several comments days after Missy’s funeral from members of the community about how impressed they were with the support of the Virginia troopers.

For the past 18 years, I've always been proud to be a trooper with the Virginia State Police. During the darkest hour in my family’s life all of you have shown to me and others all around what a special organization that we truly are. I want to say Thank You to all of the State Police Family and also to the State Police Association for everything including your donations, thoughts, prayers and kind remarks during this most difficult time. I can never repay your kindness, but I will remember it forever.

THANK YOU!
Sincerely,

Senior Trooper Mike Browning