E-Newsletter

Sadly, this week we reflect on two terrible tragedies that significantly impacted our district.  

Buchanan County Shooting Anniversary

On March 13, 2011, the Ninth Congressional District and the law enforcement community suffered a terrible loss.  In a horrific shooting, two deputies of the Buchanan County Sheriff's Department were killed and two seriously injured in the line of duty in Vansant, Virginia.  Deputy Neil Justus and Deputy Billy Stiltner were gunned down while attempting to rescue their wounded comrades, Deputies Eric Rasnake and Shane Charles. 

A 10-year veteran of the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office, Deputy Justus left behind a wife, daughter, and step-son.  A 7-year veteran, Deputy Stiltner left behind a wife and two children.  One year later, as we reflect on this terrible tragedy, we remember two dedicated lawmen, and we ask God to continue to bring comfort and healing to their families, friends, and communities.  My thoughts and prayers also remain with Deputy Charles as he continues his physical recovery from this horrendous event.

This act of violence is a reminder of the dangers our brave law enforcement officials face daily.  Not only did we lose these two officers, but we also lost Officer Deriek Crouse in Blacksburg last year.  To the brave men and women in law enforcement who put their lives on the line to keep us safe in Southwest Virginia, we ask the Lord to watch over you.  As the communities grieve and cope, we will not forget the service, selflessness, and sacrifice of Deputy Justus and Deputy Stiltner of Buchanan and Officer Crouse of Blacksburg.

100 Years Later - Carroll County Courthouse Tragedy

One hundred years ago, Carroll County experienced a dreadful shooting.  Carroll County, Southwest Virginia, and the nation were rocked by the March 14, 1912 Carroll County Courthouse shooting.  Newspapermen from all across the country flocked to the region to cover the event.  Until the sinking of the Titanic, the nation’s top story was this tragedy.  As we look back on this incident, it’s important to remember that we learn little about the past by attempting to apply modern law and mores.  Romance, politics, power, and family honor all merged to become a lethal powder keg in this tragic event.

To this day, people from all over Virginia and the country remain tied to this incident.  At the memorial service I attended last week, some surviving family members of those who died in this tragedy traveled to Hillsville from as far away as New England.  My family connection to the event comes from my great-grandmother of Rockbridge County.  She and her Bible study group traveled to pray at the prison where Sidna Allen was jailed.  During that visit, she purchased a box – now a family treasure – made by Allen.  It says inside, ‘Made by J. Sidna Allen, $5.’ My grandmother got it upon her death and a few years before my grandmother died, she gave me the box.  She said you’re the one in the family who loves history, you should have the box.

The Lynchburg News & Advance’s death notice for Sidna Allen reads, “The Allens have just about proved their theory of their defense.  That they were not all fundamentally bad men, but men for whom fate, in a bad hour, set a vicious stage.”  In a like manner, Carroll County is a good place that 100 years ago found itself thrust by fate, in a bad hour, into a vicious set of circumstances.  Let us hope that this may never occur again, in this county or any other.

This Week in History

March 21, 1963 –
Alcatraz Prison in San Francisco Bay closes down and transfers its last prisoners. Alcatraz was first explored by Juan Manuel de Ayala in 1775, who called it Isla de los Alcatraces (Pelicans) because of all the birds that lived there.  It was sold in 1849 to the U.S. government.  At its peak occupancy in the 1950s, "The Rock, or ""America's Devil Island" housed over 200 inmates.  The twelve-acre rocky island, one and a half miles from San Francisco, featured the most advanced security of the time.  Notable inmates include Al Capone, Arthur “Doc” Barker (the son of Ma Barker), and Rafael Miranda, a member of the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party who attacked the U.S. Capitol in 1954.  Further reading: http://bit.ly/dQSku4

As always, if you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my offices.  You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671.  To reach my office via email, please visit my website at www.morgangriffith.house.gov.