In memory of those who gave their lives in the preservation of law and order, and who, in so doing, lived and died in the best traditions of law enforcement's duty and service to mankind.

Trooper Kevin Carder Manion

Picture
Virginia State Police
Virginia
End of Watch: Saturday, February 18, 2006

Biographical Info
Age: 27
Tour of Duty: 2 years, 8 months
Badge Number: 870
Incident Details:
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Saturday, February 18, 2006
Weapon Used: Rifle; .30-.06
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 10 years

Trooper Kevin Manion was accidentally shot and killed while assisting another trooper investigating a single vehicle automobile accident on Route 649 in Clarke County.

The automobile accident occurred when a pickup truck went into a ditch and overturned. During the accident investigation a rifle inside the pickup truck discharged as the pickup was being moved. The round struck Trooper Manion in the chest in an area not protected by his vest.

Trooper Manion succumbed to his wound after being flown to Inova Fairfax Hospital in Fairfax County.

The truck's two occupants were arrested at the scene on alcohol related charges stemming from the automobile accident. Investigation revealed that the rifle had been stolen earlier in the day during a residential burglary. The driver of the pickup truck was subsequently charged with second degree murder, possession of a firearm by a felon, larceny of a firearm, and daytime breaking and entering. He plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter in December 2006 and was subsequently sentenced to 10 years.

Trooper Manion had served with the Virginia State Police for just under 3 years, and was assigned to the Area 13 Office in Winchester.
Colonel C. W. Woodson, Jr. Memorial Gallery"The Colonel C. W. Woodson, Jr. Memorial Gallery is dedicated to those members of the Virginia State Police and their predecessors, the inspectors of the Division of Motor Vehicles, who gave their lives in the preservation of law and order, and who, in so doing, lived and died in the best traditions of law enforcement's duty and service to mankind."

Full website: http://www.vsp.state.va.us/memorial_gallery.shtm
"The Badge" - By: Sergeant David L. Bell
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant 
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved 
and may not be duplicated without permission