Big Stone Gap Police Department, Virginia
End of Watch Saturday, November 13, 2021
Add to My HeroesMichael D. Chandler
Police Officer Michael Chandler was shot and killed while performing a welfare check at a vacant home in the 2500 block of Orr Street.
Officer Chandler was flagged down by a citizen at about 4:00 am who asked him to check on a person who was inside of the home. When he arrived on the scene, he encountered a subject and was shot. A deputy with the Wise County Sheriff's Office located Officer Chandler in a ditch along the home's driveway. He was transported to Norton Community Hospital and then flown to Johnson City Medical Center in Tennessee where he succumbed to his wounds at about 7:00 pm.
The subject who shot him was arrested in Kingsport, Tennessee, at about 8:00 pm after being located at a motel by members of state, local, and federal law enforcement officers. It was determined the man was wanted for probation violations in Wise County, Virginia, as well as in South Carolina.
The incident occurred on Officer Chandler's 29th birthday. In addition to serving with the Big Stone Gap Police Department, he also served as a volunteer with the Big Stone Gap Fire Department.
Bio
- Age 29
- Tour Not available
- Badge 512
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender In custody
Most Recent Reflection
View all 110 ReflectionsFaithful Unto Death | Eternal Rest | Salute
S. I. Drake - Lt/IPD | IMPD (Ret)
July 16, 2022
Recent LODD Deaths

Deputy Sheriff Nathaniel Ansay
Florence County Sheriff's Office, SC
EOW: May 20, 2025

Lieutenant Allen "Noochie" Credeur
Rayne Police Department, LA
EOW: May 5, 2025

Special Deputy Sheriff Larry Henderson, Jr.
Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, OH
EOW: May 2, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Brandon Ray Sikes
Columbia County Sheriff's Office, GA
EOW: April 26, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Jesse Perez
Dawson County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: April 22, 2025

Captain Helio Armando Garcia, III
South Fulton Police Department, GA
EOW: April 16, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Melissa Pollard
Wood County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: April 9, 2025

Deputy Sheriff William May
Walton County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: April 2, 2025

Police Officer Osmar Rodarte
Marysville Police Department, CA
EOW: March 26, 2025