Processing tragedy: How law enforcement officers work through emotionally tough cases
PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va. - Investigators at the scene of Tuesday's triple homicide that rocked the Keeling community in Pittsylvania County may not have shown their emotions, but the case no doubt had an impact on many of them. Chivvis is a former detective himself and knows first hand just how traumatic situations like Tuesday's triple homicide can be. "Law enforcement, we've had such a bravado that you can be seen as weak for talking about that. We're doing the right thing," Chivvis saidAn encounter with an officer at the scene Tuesday was evidence, Pittsylvania County Sheriff Mike Taylor said at a news conference Wednesday, of just how emotionally tough the case is. The suspect in Tuesday's homicide, 19-year-old Matthew Bernard, was scheduled to be arraigned Thursday morning but was instead hospitalized for unknown reasons.
Grieving community gathers to honor victims and families affected by triple murder
PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va. - Friends and family gathered Wednesday night to pray, grieve and honor the victims of Tuesday's triple murder in Pittsylvania County. "Prayer changes things; prayer helps in a way that other means that we try can only go so far," Poe said. "We all go through battles and struggles and face things like this and have dark seasons, good seasons, bad seasons," said Penny Bartee, a Bivens family friend. Pittsylvania County Sheriff Mike Taylor struggling to find words at one points during Wednesday's news conference. The church family says faith will keep the families afloat, and they're including the alleged killer in their prayers.