Trooper's Family Thanks 'Everyone Who Helped Give Our Hero a Hero's Farewell'

PHOTO: Dermyer family photo posted on Virginia State Police Facebook page

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The family of the Virginia State Trooper who lost his life after being shot at the Richmond Greyhound bus station last week has thanked supporters from around the country in an open letter posted on Facebook.

A man talking with Virginia State Trooper Chad Dermyer suddenly pulled out a gun and shot him multiple times last Thursday at the bus station. Both the trooper and the gunman, a man with a lengthy criminal history from Illinois, died at VCU Medical Center.

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Dermyer, 37, was a husband, a dad to two young children and a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. He had just recently transferred from patrol to the Counter-Terrorism and Criminal Interdiction Unit. He was laid to rest Tuesday in a funeral attended by about 3,500.

The following is the letter posted Thursday to the Virginia State Police Facebook page by Dermyer's family.

An Open Thank You Letter From the Dermyer Family...

The family of Trooper Chad P. Dermyer would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the nation, State of Virginia, local communities and especially Gloucester County for all the outpour of love and support we have received during the past week:

This past week has been extremely difficult on our family. Many of you knew Chad personally and understand how truly special he was, not simply as a loving husband, father, son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend, but also as a man who was deeply committed to protecting others and bringing people and communities together.

That is why we want to acknowledge and express our deep appreciation for the tremendous compassion and patriotism displayed by the community this past week, exactly mirroring those traits that made Chad exceptional. Our family felt the warm embrace, compassion and respect for him as we grieved his death.

The outpouring of affection was evident not simply in the streets lined with people, but also in the everyday stories that people shared with us—kind words of how Chad lent a hand, told a joke, or how he simply showed up. Everyday. They served as validation to us and to his legacy. It has been our honor to stand with you and salute Chad.

Chad had many talents and gifts, which made him not only a loving and devoted family man, but also a remarkable trooper. He had a passion for helping others and that is why he chose to serve in the Marines as well as law enforcement. He was guided by his innate compassion and empathy for others, and his good instincts made him standout among his peers.

Chad always brought people together with his gentle nature and kind heart. He saw the good in everyone he met and looked for ways to connect with those around him. We heard so many stories this week about Chad that showcased his broad reach: from playing with a youth basketball team to engaging with this fellow troopers to checking in on a community member’s grandson. The difference he made was often expressed in the little things he did every day.

Chad loved sports, especially soccer and the Detroit Lions. He shared this love of sports with his children. He was an assistant coach for his son’s soccer team and loved watching his daughter dance.

We were so surprised by how many of you traveled across the country to be here for Chad. The showing of support from law enforcement throughout the nation reinforced how special that brotherhood is and we are eternally grateful.

We’d like to thank so many of you who supported us this week. Thank you to Governor Terry McAuliffe for honoring Chad. And to the Virginia State Police who were remarkable with their efforts to comfort our family. We appreciate the respect you gave our family, ensuring that every need was attended to and enabling us the privacy and freedom our family needed to grieve. We ask for continued privacy during this time.

The honor that you all demonstrated was a fitting tribute to a man who made a big impression through small acts.

Thank you to everyone who helped give our hero a hero’s farewell. We will forever be a part of this community that Chad was so proud to serve.

With all of our love, The Dermyer family.