Chief Flinchum talks about VT tragedy

Dawn Jefferies / WSLS NewsChannel 10
Published: April 27, 2007

Twelve days and countless moments Virginia Tech Police Chief Wendell Flinchum will never forget about April 16th.

Dawn: "What would you say is the hardest part about the last two weeks"-

Flinchum: I think the hardest part is just the tragedy of it all. The families of those killed and injured, talking to the parents that night."

After 20-years with the department, 4-months as chief, Flinchum felt he had to help call parents of students killed. "It was the most difficult thing I've ever done," he said.

On top of the investigation, the typically quiet chief faced tough questions from a national media.     

Dawn: "How hard was it when people questioned your emotion or lack in handling this"-

Flinchum: "People who know me know I'm a quiet person, I don't show my emotions but I was deeply effected by this. I am deeply affected by it and maybe I don't show it but that question I got, I can't describe how I felt for that question to be asked at that particular time. I just couldn't understand it. I'm deeply affected by this."

"I think what people need to realize is my police officers are human just like everybody else and they hurt just as much as everyone else," he explains.

Like many on campus, Flinchum has had little sleep and worries more about his officers than himself. "They saw things that day that most police officers will never see. I know just the frantic effort to get in the building itself is traumatic to them. It's extremely important that we take care of them," he said.

While counselors came in last week to help officers cope, it's people in the community that line up to shake or hug Flinchum that also help him through.  "It's been very helpful. The support that this department has received from the community, outside this community, around the country has been tremendous. That's probably one things that help everyone around here get through this."

When it comes to getting through this and moving forward, Flinchum, says you have to have a goal. "Our mission is to keep campus as safe as possible. I know my officers understand their mission, we understand it, that's how we move forward. We have a goal and if you  have a goal you can move forward."