Lynchburg News & Advance
Published: May 7, 2008

RICHMOND — As the sun started to set over Richmond on Tuesday, law enforcement officers from across the state gathered at the steps of the State Capitol.

They came together to honor three of their own who died in the line of duty, and they came to support the parents and loved ones of these three men.

“We come together … to stand in honor of your loved ones,” said Gov. Timothy M. Kaine. “Every day, they have to confront the worst in people and still believe in the best in people. … They decided to serve because there is still good in the world.”

The annual Virginia Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial Service honored Campbell County Deputy Jason Saunders, Stafford County Deputy Jason Mooney, and Chesapeake Police Detective Jarrod Shivers.

“We are here tonight to remember and honor a Campbell County hero. We are here tonight to remember and honor a Stafford County hero. We are here tonight to honor a Chesapeake hero,” said John Marshall, Virginia’s secretary of public safety.

Saunders’ parents, Peggy and Dale Saunders, were escorted up the steps of the Capitol. During the ceremony, Kaine presented Dale Saunders with a small statue, and Campbell County Sheriff Terry Gaddy presented Peggy Saunders with a white rose in honor of their son.

Then Gaddy saluted the two parents.

“We will never forget him for his sacrifice,” Gaddy said.

Saunders died on April 3, 2007, while trying to assist in a vehicle pursuit when his patrol car crashed on Johnson Mountain Road just inside Bedford County. Saunders had been with the department for three years.

Mooney died from injuries he received in a car crash after his car hydroplaned while he was responding to a severe crash on Interstate 95 on Oct. 19.

Shivers was killed while entering a house to serve a search warrant for narcotics on Jan. 17.

“These were three fallen heroes,” Marshall said. “These were three American heroes.”