Chad Dermyer—2016 Richmond Homicide #17

Here’s what we know so far.

April 1, 2016; 12:22 PM • by Susan Howson

We’re calling this a homicide because it has been officially termed as such by the Richmond Police Department. Before you tell us we’ve missed one–was it actually a death investigation (often self-defense)? Was it within city limits? Did the person die of wounds received in a different year? All of those deaths do not get officially counted as Richmond homicides for this year.

Victim

Virginia State Police trooper Chad Dermyer, age 37

His obituary reads:

GLOUCESTER – Virginia State Trooper Chad Phillip Dermyer, 37, died March 31, 2016. Chad was a native of Jackson Michigan. He graduated from the Virginia State Police Academy in 2014. Prior to that time he served as a Policeman for the City of Newport News and the Jackson Michigan Police Department. He had served with the U S Marines as a Machine Gunner. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, son and brother who has left us too soon, but his memory will live forever in our hearts. Chad is survived by his wife, Michelle Dermyer; daughter, Page Dermyer; son, Phillip Dermyer; mother, Anne L. Barnett and husband, Scott; father, John Dermyer and wife, Chris; brother, John “Johnny” Dermyer, Jr. and wife, Jen; sister, Lauree Dermyer; mother in law, Katie M. Johnson; father in law, Tom Johnson; maternal grandmother, Dolores Field; maternal grandfather, Irving Osborne; paternal grandmother, Virginia Hoffman; nieces, Lily and Amiyah; and nephew, Nicholas; along with a host of other relatives and close friends. The funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 5, 2016 at Liberty Baptist Church, 1021 Big Bethel Road, Hampton, VA 23666. Private interment with military honors will be in Rosewell Memorial Garden Cemetery, Gloucester Point. The family will be receiving friends at Liberty Baptist Church on Monday, April 4, 2016 from 3 – 5 p.m. and 6 – 8 p.m. In memory of Trooper Dermyer please consider contributions to the Virginia State Police Association Emergency Relief Fund, 6944 Forest Hill Road, Richmond, VA 23225. (Check must note Trooper Dermyer) Arrangements by Hogg Funeral Home and Crematory, Gloucester Point. Family and friends may share condolences and memories at www.hoggfh.com.

Funeral information

Receiving friends on Monday, April 4th • 3:00 – 5:00 PM and 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Funeral on Tuesday, April 5th • 11:00 AM
Liberty Baptist Church, 1021 Big Bethel Road, Gloucester

In lieu of flowers, etc., please consider making a donation to Virginia State Police Association Emergency Relief Fund, 6944 Forest Hill Road, Richmond, VA 23225.

The Incident

Where: The Greyhound Bus Station, 2910 N. Boulevard
When: Thursday, March 31st at or around 2:45 PM.
Weapon: Gun.

Quickly becoming known as the “Greyhound Bus Station Shooting,” this incident involved a Virginia State Police narcotics training exercies. “Trooper Dermyer’s encounter with the male subject was part of the training. Trooper Dermyer was in uniform at the time of the shooting,” said State Police Colonel W. Steven Flaherty. The shooter shot Trooper Dermyer multiple times in the chest. He died of his wounds in the hospital.

Two adult females were also shot, but do not have life-threatening injuries. Two state troopers nearby returned fire, and the shooter was hit and died later that afternoon at the hospital.

Here’s the state police on the incident: