Man arrested in killing of Virginia special agent

Virginia state trooper seriously injured during 'operation' in Richmond
Virginia State Trooper shot during operation in Richmond, sources say
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28 May, 2017

The Virginia State Police special agent fatally shot in Richmond's Mosby Court Friday evening is being remembered as a loving father of three who was passionate about criminal justice and founded a wrestling club to help disadvantaged children. As a trooper, he transferred in 2005 to the Richmond Division's Powhatan office.

As the Richmond officer spoke to the driver of the vehicle, Walter walked up to the passenger side, where Ball was seated.

Ball was apprehended shortly after 6 a.m.at a home in Northumberland County. WRIC-TV reports that six of the 19 homicides that have occurred in the city this year have been in Mosby Court. The officers had approached a vehicle parked on the wrong side of the street when Walter was shot.

Walter was assigned to the Virginia State Police Richmond Field Office's Drug Enforcement Section and routinely partnered with the Richmond Police Department on investigative and patrol operatives, the statement said.

Ball was being held without bond on malicious wounding and weapons charges. The shooting suspect fled on foot, sparking an overnight manhunt that ended with the man's arrest about an hour after the agent's death. Ball escaped on foot and a manhunt ensued, involving eight federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Additional charges are pending.

After the shooting, police set up a perimeter in the neighborhood to protect residents, preserve the crime scene and ideally find Ball.

A Richmond man, Travis Ball, 27, a convicted felon, was arrested in the murder of Virginia State Police Special Agent Michael T. Walter, 45.

Walter and a Richmond police officer followed behind a Chevrolet Cobalt and parked behind it when they saw the driver of the Cobalt pull over and park on the wrong side of Redd Street in the state's capital. Court records show he has convictions for cruelty to animals and for assault and battery. A handgun was recovered at the scene near the Chevrolet Cobalt.

"And I know he's having a very rough time too", Flaherty said. She would occasionally see him outside playing with children and said he would sometimes buy snacks for local kids at the store.

"He didn't seem like a ruthless person - we see a lot of ruthless people around here - but he didn't seem like that type", Williams said. Police said more charges are pending. He demanded a high standard of character, integrity, and personally encouraged and modeled for the youth in the community and the Blackhawk wrestlers the importance of making the right choices in life.

Police said they are still investigating.

Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) expressed condolences to Walter's family and asked Virginians to honor his memory with gratitude for police.

Walter is the 63rd member of Virginia State Police to be killed since 1928 and the 11th is the last 11 years, the police superintendent said.

The most recent was in March 2016, when trooper Chad Dermyer, 37, was shot during a training exercise at the Greyhound bus station near downtown Richmond.

"Special Agent Walter was one of our courageous men and women in uniform who risk their lives every single day to protect their fellow Virginians. We will be forever grateful for his service and sacrifice". The gunman was killed by two other state troopers after he opened fire.


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