Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Thirty-one years ago today, shots rang out at a food stamp distribution store on West Marshall Street in the inner city of Richmond, Virginia. When the shooting stopped, a young, promising Richmond Police Officer lay dead on the floor, his murderer, having barely exited the store, lay on the sidewalk dead.

The Officer was Vernon Leigh Jarrell . . . a true hero and warrior.

When Vernon got off from his regular 8 hour tour with the Task Force at 4:00 A.M., he went home, slept a couple of hours, put on a fresh uniform and went to one of his overtime jobs. We made very little mony in those days and we all had second jobs. On this August 1st morning, Vernon would be working his off duty job at a food stamp distribution store. It was approximately 11:00 A.M. when 2 men walked into the store. There were several employees and clients present at the time of the 2 mens' arrival. Vernon was drinking orange juice from a small container and speaking with one of the clients. The witnesses said he was being friendly and outgoing as always. Suddenly, one of the 2 men walked up to him, pointed a gun straight at his chest and announced "hold up." His accomplice started collecting the money, while the gunman glanced at Vernon, then the accomplice. When Vernon saw what he perceived as his opportunity, he drew his service weapon . . . but was shot before he could shoot. It was a devistating shot to his heart. Vernon dropped to the floor appearing totally incapacited, still clutching his service revolver in his right hand.

He appeared so incapacitated that his murderer never disarmed him. The men ran through the store also robbing the clients of their belongings. Vernon didn't move and appeared to be dead. Then, as the 2 men hurridly left the store, the gunman purposely stepped over Vernon's appearant lifeless body in what could only be an act of defiance.

The store's witnesses later reported that as he stepped over Vernon, he paused and looked back at the people in the store . . . and as he did so, no part of Vernon moved . . . except his right arm . . . from the elbow down, as he slowly and deliberately raised his .38 caliber Smith and Wesson Model 10 revolver and then, carried out what would be the last act of his brief 23 years . . . to squeeze off just one round, and send a jacketed hollow point Super Vel deep into the chest and heart of his murderer. The stunned gunman stumbled out the door and collapsed on the sidewalk as Richmond Officers were arriving in droves, responding to citizen's phone calls of shots fired involving a Richmond Policeman.

Officers were at Vernon's side within 15 seconds of that last shot . . . the recoil of Vernon's revolver had projected it several feet from his hand. Vernon was dead . . . gone . . . stolen from us.

I knew him well as you'll see from an earlier reflection I've left. I know what he was thinking while that gunman aimed at him. He was thinking "They're going to shoot me as they leave . . . they don't have masks and know I can identify them . . . I've got to make my move . . " But when his first attempt to protect himself and the citizens of Richmond was unsuccessful. . . and would proved to have been fatal within 2 minutes, he didn't give up. I know what you were thinking Vernon . . . I know you knew you were dying and I know your toughness, dedication, high self esteem and need to see justice done were keeping you "hanging on." I know what you were thinking Vernon . . . "Nobody is going to shoot a Richmond Policeman and get away with it . . . nobody is going to shoot Vernon Jarrelle and get away with it . . . I've got to hang on . . long eneough to take my shot!" And Vernon, you did.

About 1:00 P.M. Patrolman Gary D. Taylor called me at home. I had gotton off work with Vernon at 4:00 A.M. and because I wasn't working an overtine job that day, went home to sleep. Vernon, I'll always remember that call. It was exactly 31 years ago today . . . Gary said "Jim, I've got bad news for you . . . Vernon's been killed." He told me that you killed your murderer but one got away. Like every other off duty policeman, I got geared up and headed in to the the department. We broke into teams and caused havoc that night in Richmond . . . looking for the accomplice. Every shotgun in the department was checked out . . every box of buckshot gone . . . we were on a mission for you. Our Homicide Detectives quickly identified the accomplice, we all had pictures and we locked the city down that night. The streets were empty . . . all the "street types" were ducked down somewhere . . . they didn't want to encounter us. . . nobody did. If you can imagine, nobody was hanging out at 2nd and Lee Streets . . . 30th and Q Streets, or 19th and Hull!

They arrested the accomplice a few days later, in another city. It turned out to be "an inside job" and one of the employees of the food stamp store was also arrested and convicted. I miss you Vernon, I wanted everybody who visits this site to know what a wonderful person, father, policeman and warrior you were. I'm so proud to have been your friend, academy class mate, been on the same relief with you, and work in the Task Force side by side with you. You're my hero. I'll always honor you and your memory Vernon.

With brotherly love and utmost respect, Jim Crotty (Former Richmond, VA Police Officer & proud friend of Vernon Leigh Jarrelle.)

Jim Crotty, Special Agent (Ret.)
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms

August 1, 2004

I WILL ALWAYS WONDER WHAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN LIKE TO GROW UP WITH WHAT I KNOW TO BE A WONDERFUL FATHER. YOU WERE TAKEN FROM ME SO SUDDENLY BEFORE I GOT THE CHANCE TO REALLY KNOW YOU. I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER THE STORIES MY MOM TELLS ME THAT ALWAYS MAKE ME LAUGH. I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I ALWAYS THINK OF YOU AND WILL LOVE YOU FOREVER. THANK YOU FOR BEING ONE OF THOSE THAT TRIED TO MAKE THIS WORLD A SAFER PLACE. I LOVE YOU.

YOUR RUGRAT,
JOANNE JARRELLE JONES

JOANNE JONES-DAUGHTER

May 13, 2004

Officer Jarrelle,
I had the privledge of meeting your daughter today and showing her this web site that is a tribute to the sacrifice you made so that others would be safe. I'm sure your family will visit the site often. You are not forgotten.......

Police Officer
Richmond Police Department

April 1, 2004

Vernon, my Richmond Bureau of Police Academy classmate . . . my friend, I think of you so often. You were a true warrior . . . with a true warrior mentality as you displayed every tour of duty, and especially on that day of your final battle . . . a warrior in every sense of the word. It was an honor to work so close to you, to be your friend . . . first in the Academy, then together on "D" Relief . . . you in Northside in Unit 626, me in the East End in unit 612. Then in the Task Force, working side by side in that small and elite selective enforcement unit. I'll never forget the night you apprehended the most wanted man in Virginia, who had escaped from the Virginia State Pennetentiary. You were always "there" . . . loyal, dedicated, ready to do what ever was necessary . . . always upbeat . . . ready to go . . . "10-8" from the time you hit the shift relief room until we pulled onto the lot to be relieved by the next shift. You were a wonderful father . . . always working overtime, so that, as you told me, your daughter would never want for the things you may not have had. You were a son of Virginia . . . a son of Richmond . . . we all gave some, but you gave all Vernon, from the time you were 18 as a Richmond Police Cadet, becomming an officer at 21, until that day of your gun battle in that food stamp redemption store with the bandits who would take you from us. Vernon, I pray that you know that in your last seconds of life, as you lay on that floor dying, and waiting for your opportunity, your 1 shot found it's mark . . . a true warrior, in every sense of the word. As I did in your life, I continue to admire you, speak your name and honor you. I miss you Vernon, your laughter, your loyalty, your commitment and your tenacity. Thank you for protecting all of us . . . for your service and sacrifice. With brotherly love and deep respect, Jim Crotty (Former Richmond, VA Policeman)

Special Agent Jim Crotty
ATF (SA, Retired)

February 27, 2004

The above speaks volumes....God Bless and watch over the rest of us.

Anonymous

October 3, 2003

I remember you.

Ret Officer RB Wade
Richmond , Va., Police

August 29, 2003

Even though I was only five when you left us, I still remember how you'd come by Mrs. Fox's house before you went home and play with me. That's been a long time ago Vernon, but my memories of you are still here. My Mom and Dad often speak of you still as well. Everyone here misses you, and will always remember the sacrafice you made. God Bless You my friend. Troy S. Harris

Troy S. Harris

God bless you, brother. You are not forgotten.

Deputy M. Moore
Warren County S.O. (OH)