MENU
SEARCHGeller said the suspect continued firing at the state police vehicles and "one of the suspect's bullets pierced a K9 trooper's back passenger window and struck a state police canine riding in the back seat compartment."
K-9 Vader was two years old. (Photo: Virginia State Police)
A Virginia State Police K-9 was killed after a police pursuit ended in gunfire in Sussex County, VA, Wednesday morning.
Virginia State Police Public Relations Director Corinne N. Geller said a trooper in Sussex County identified a vehicle that had been reported stolen out of Connecticut, but the driver wouldn't stop when the trooper tried to pull him over, reports WTVR .
As the pursuit began, officials said the suspect began firing at the trooper's vehicle. Officials said that as the car left I-95, troopers positioned themselves to stop the vehicle.
Geller said the suspect continued firing at the state police vehicles and "one of the suspect's bullets pierced a K9 trooper's back passenger window and struck a state police canine riding in the back seat compartment."
"The state police narcotics detection canine, Vader, did not survive his injuries," Geller said. K-9 Vader was two years old.
Officials said once the vehicle stopped, troopers engaged the suspect and shots were fired, and the male suspect died at the scene.
Geller said no troopers were injured.
The suspect has been identified as Tramaine Marquese Poole, 41, New Haven Police Chief Anthony Campbell told the New Haven Register. Campbell says Poole was wanted for the murder of 28-year-old Tyekqua Nesbitt in Connecticut and another shooting.
Join POLICE as we visit with Steve Atkinson of Traka and learn about the company’s asset management cabinets and key lockers.
Read More →
Team Wendy shared data about DREW, a biofidelic helmet-test rig built to simulate real head-to-ground falls and capture both linear and rotational head motion, during the recent Personal Armour Systems Symposium in Belgium.
Read More →
The 2026 US Police and Fire Championships, featuring more than 35 Olympic-style events and new competitions, will return to San Diego, California.
Read More →
In honor of National First Responders Day, FOX News Channel’s FOX & Friends will host a live audience made up of first responders and their families. Police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and other emergency personnel have been invited to attend the live program.
Read More →
Discover how one police department cut crime nearly in half using smarter patrol data. This whitepaper breaks down the real-world strategy behind a 46% drop in vehicle thefts, improved officer safety, and stronger community visibility.
Read More →
Last week, during IACP 2025, Axon unveiled what it called the next evolution of its connected public safety ecosystem. Key launches included Prepared by Axon, new Axon Assistant and Axon Air Drone as First Responder (DFR) capabilities, and Community Shield and Community Link.
Read More →
Thumbnail for video series POLICE Topics, Tactics & Tips with a yellow headline that reads When Do You Transport a Wounded Officer Instead of Waiting for EMS?
Read More →
The first – and worst – time I had to fight to keep my gun, my holster and duty belt held up far better than my training did.
Read More →
Streamlight has launched the Wedge SL, an ultra-thin, USB-C rechargeable light designed for users who want pocketable power.
Read More →
Watch expanded coverage of IACP 2025 as the POLICE Magazine team walks the aisles at the expo and shares what we found interesting on display for chiefs from across the country and around the world this week in Denver, Colorado.
Read More →