Funeral Services For Slain Virginia Trooper Open To Public

CUMBERLAND COUNTY, VA — Funeral services will be held Saturday, Feb. 9, for a Virginia State Police trooper who was killed Monday as officers raided a house in a Cumberland County narcotics investigation. Trooper Lucas B. Dowell, 28, died at Southside Community Hospital in Farmville from his injuries. The public is welcome to attend the visitation and funeral services.

Here's the plans for services and memorials, released by Virginia State Police:

Visitation

• Friday, February 8, 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.
• Chilhowie Christian Church, 172 Apple Valley Road, Chilhowie, VA 24319

Funeral Service

• 11 a.m. Saturday, February 9, at Chilhowie Christian Church, 172 Apple Valley Road, Chilhowie

Interment

• St. James Lutheran Church Cemetery, 538 St. James Road, Chilhowie

Reception

A reception for family, friends, and law enforcement will be held at Chilhowie Christian Church immediately following the burial.

Condolences

The Dowell family has asked for all condolences to be collected by the VSP Public Relations Office at P.O. Box 27472, Richmond, VA 23261. Condolences can also be made online at www.williamsfuneralhomeofchilhowie.com.

Donations

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Virginia State Police Association - Emergency Relief Fund. Contributions can be made online at https://www.vspa.org/donate/erf.html. Please note in the payment reference section, "in memory of" or "in honor of Lucas Dowell."

Dowell was a member of the Virginia State Police Tactical Team that was assisting the Piedmont Regional Drug and Gang Task Force with executing a search warrant at a residence in the 1500 block of Cumberland Road/Route 45, just north of Farmville. Officers entered the residence shortly before 10 p.m. Monday when a man inside began shooting at police. They returned fire, fatally wounding the gunman, who has not been identified.

Authorities say Dowell is the department's 66th line of duty death. The Chilhowie, Virginia, native graduated from the Virginia State Police's 122nd Basic Session in November 2014. He was assigned to the Virginia State Police Appomattox Division; his latest assignment was on patrol in the City of Lynchburg, and Amherst and Campbell counties. He was a member of the Appomattox Division Tactical Team - the equivalent of a SWAT Team.

Dowell is survived by his parents and a sister.

"This is an extremely difficult day for the State Police," said Colonel Gary T. Settle, Virginia State Police Superintendent, in a statement. "We are humbled by Lucas' selfless sacrifice and grateful for his dedicated service to the Commonwealth. He will forever be remembered by his State Police Family for his great strength of character, tenacity, valor, loyalty and sense of humor."

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PHOTO: Trooper Lucas B. Dowell, courtesy of Virginia State Police