Curtis Sheets,
Chief, Wintergreen Fire and Rescue
Today Wintergreen Police Officer Chris Wagner was laid to rest. Over the coming days, we may post some photos from his very impressive funeral service, however, this evening we have chosen this photo of the rainbow which was taken near our Station 2 just after the service for Chris Wagner. The Wintergreen community is very sad about Officer Wagner, but just like the rainbow signifies a shift from storms to calm, we will transition.
We try not to editorialize much, but over the past few days, Wintergreen Fire & Rescue has been in a really weird spot. In many ways, we were a fly on the wall. We were able to observe the inner workings of a law enforcement funeral, even though we aren't a law enforcement agency. We feel compelled to recognize incredible work. Chief Russell of Wintergreen Police, his entire team of officers, and his amazing 911 dispatchers have been unflappable.
“Chief Russell of Wintergreen Police, his entire team of officers, and his amazing 911 dispatchers have been unflappable.”
Literally from the first hour of the incident until the last car left the funeral today, the support of Virginia State Police has been overwhelming. Lt. Pillow must take phone calls 24 hours per day. Corrine Gellar was helping us craft messages at 4 AM.
Nelson County’s Sheriff Hill and Augusta County’s Sheriff Smith (were both on the scene the night of the incident and much like the Virginia State Police they enveloped us with support throughout the entire process. The Nelson Deputies and Nelson Dispatchers, as well as local Virginia State Police, were just as involved with the incident as Wintergreen, and they're hurting too.
Governor Youngkin, Lieutenant Governor Sears, and Public Safety Secretary Cole were very supportive today through their attendance and comments at the service. They certainly met the moment. Similarly, the honor guards, motor squads, deputies, officers, and troopers who came literally from all over the United States all played an important role in making the event appropriately special.
Just hours after the incident, a team from Virginia Law Enforcement Assistance Program (VALEAP) engaged to help responders and administrators process the overwhelming emotions. VALEAP attended today, we will see them later this week, and for as long as we may need them. We simply can't overstate our appreciation for their highly professional services.
“The Wintergreen Property Owners Association, Wintergreen Resort, and all of the members of the Wintergreen community have surrounded all of the affected public safety employees with love and support which has certainly been noticed and really does lift us up. ”
Local governments and agencies from all over the Commonwealth stepped up to help us provide service to our community at moments when we needed to step away from our posts. We regret any we miss here, but the list that immediately comes to mind includes Augusta County Fire-Rescue, Waynesboro Fire Department, Montebello Fire Department, Lovingston Fire Department, Stuarts Draft Rescue Squad, Western-Albemarle Rescue Squad, Buckingham Department of Emergency Services, Augusta County Emergency Communications Center, Charlottesville-UVA-Albemarle Emergency Communications Center, Bedford County Emergency Services, Powhatan County Public Safety Communications Center, Augusta County Sherriff's Office, and Nelson County Sheriff's Office.
Augusta County Expoland Center and Mission BBQ from Charlottesville were flawless and so very supportive.
The Wintergreen Property Owners Association, Wintergreen Resort, and all of the members of the Wintergreen community have surrounded all of the affected public safety employees with love and support which has certainly been noticed and really does lift us up.
Our Nelson County Board of Supervisors, the Nelson County Administrator, and the Nelson County Emergency Services Coordinator (probably without thinking about it) did the single most important thing they could have done during this event. They have treated us as equal partners on the public safety team. You have no doubt seen media coverage about how Officer Wagner isn't eligible for Line of Duty Death benefits because Wintergreen is a "private" agency. Private does not equal "less than." Nelson County gets this, and we appreciate it.
The media deserves credit. They have covered this incident well. We expect they will continue to cover the legislative aspect. We appreciate that family requests for privacy were honored.
Lastly, all of the people who don't know any of us yet took time to stand in their front yards holding flags as our procession drove by.....we saw you, we feel you, we love you too.
May we never do this again.