Waverly Police Department, Virginia
End of Watch: Saturday, April 25, 1998
Age: 25
Tour of Duty: 2 years
Badge Number: 5
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: April 25, 1998
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Officer Gibson was shot and killed after confronting two male suspects in the midst of a drug deal while on foot patrol in a wooded area behind an apartment complex.
Upon confronting the suspects, a struggle ensued, and Officer Gibson was shot once in the abdomen with his own weapon. The round struck the edge of his bullet-proof vest. He was taken to a hospital where he succumbed to his wound.
One suspect who shot Patrolman Gibson was arrested the following day, and the second suspect was later arrested.
The prosecutor struck a plea bargain with the two suspects, who were originally charged with capital murder, against Patrolman Gibson's family's wishes. On Dec. 8, 1999, the shooter plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to 5 years in prison. The second suspect plead guilty to acting as an accessory after the fact and was sentenced to 12 months in prison.
In 2002 both suspects were tried in federal courts and convicted of the drug offense that led to Officer Gibson's murder. Both men were sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole.
Officer Gibson had served with the 6-person Waverly Police Department for only 2 months and had a total of 2 years of law enforcement experience. He is survived by his wife and 8-year-old daughter.