Deputy Shane Charles of the Buchanan County, Virginia,
Sheriff’s Department is currently at the Shepard Center
recovering from gunshot wounds he received in the line of
duty on March 14th, 2011. During the same incident his long
time friend and fellow Deputy Eric Rasnake was also
critically wounded and two other deputies, Cameron Justice
and William Stiltner, were shot and killed while searching
for the gunman. Deputy Justice and Deputy Stiltner were both
off duty and had responded to the officer down call to
assist wounded Deputies Charles and Rasnake when they were
killed.
Below is a transcript of one of the news releases from the
shooting to give you some background on the incident that
brought Deputy Charles to recover at the Shepard Center…
From WVVA.com:
Buchanan County deputy sheriffs Eric Dwayne Rasnake, 32, and
Shane Earl Charles, 25, were shot multiple times and wounded
after responding to a report of a larceny at Rogers Service
Center on Route 620 in Vansant. Both were able to crawl to a
nearby residence to take cover and call for help.
Additional sheriff's deputies and the Virginia State Police
immediately responded to the scene. As a perimeter was being
established to search for the shooter, deputy sheriffs
Cameron Neil Justus, 41, and William Ezra Stiltner, 46, were
both shot and killed by a high-powered rifle.
The shooter, Randy Gilbert Newberry, 52, of Vansant fled his
hiding spot in a nearby wooded area and ran to a nearby
residence approximately one quarter-mile from the service
center. Police tracked Newberry to a residence where he was
found in the yard, talking on a cell phone. Newberry ignored
police commands to put up his hands and lay on the ground.
When he turned and aimed a handgun at officers he was shot
and killed.
Jim Conley, a witness who lives at the home where Newberry
was found, said Newberry was on the phone with his wife at
the time he was shot.
A 10-year veteran of the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office,
Justus is survived by a wife, daughter, and step-son.
Stiltner, a seven-year veteran, is survived by a wife and
two children.
Rasnake remains in ICU at Bristol Regional Medical Center.
Charles is being treated at Holston Valley Medical Center in
Kingsport, Tenn. Both are listed in critical condition.
The last time a Buchanan County Deputy Sheriff was killed in
the line of duty was approximately 40 years ago.
Deputy Charles is far from home and does not have any family
or friends to visit him and comfort him while he is
recovering from this traumatic incident. Please feel free to
stop by and visit with him or send a card or balloons (no
flowers allowed in the ICU) he would greatly appreciate it.
He is currently in the ICU, 4thfloor, Room 407.
Shepherd Center
2020 Peachtree Road, NW
Atlanta, GA 30309-1465
Thank you,
Sgt. James Longshore
Sergeant J. Longshore
Atlanta Police Department
Zone 5 Criminal Investigations
398 Centennial Olympic Park Drive
Atlanta, Georgia 30313
