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SSentinel.com Serving Middlesex County and adjacent areas of the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck since 1896 Vol. 118, No. 39 Urbanna, Virginia 23175 • January 3, 2013 Two Sections • 75¢ Bushey brings more structure to sheriff’s offi ce by Tom Chillemi First of series There is no “I” in “team.” And, Middlesex Sheriff David Bushey knows this. His contagious energy has elevated the Middlesex Sheriff’s Offi ce to a more professional level during his fi rst year as sheriff, he explained during a recent tour of the renovated sheriff’s offi ce. Sheriff Bushey said he has led by showing respect—and getting it in return—which has improved morale. With his backing, the staff has gained confi dence and has taken on leader- ship roles. “Instead of telling me they have a problem, I want them to tell me what their solution is to that problem,” explained Sheriff Bushey who, like a good coach, directs with encourage- ment. His team approach has welcomed and encouraged the sheriff’s staff of 42 persons to share input and develop Members of the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Offi ce staff include, seated from left, deputy Norman Sibley, deputy Kimberley Taylor, communica- ideas together, said Captain M.E. tions supervisor Tammy Ellis, deputy Keith Carmell and Middlesex High School resource offi cer deputy Ranger Freeman; standing from left, Lt. Sampson, who, like Sheriff Bushey, Jim Ellis, deputy Trey Blake, Captain M.E. Sampson, Captain and chief bailiff Paige Bishop, St. Clare Walker Middle School resource offi cer deputy became a Middlesex deputy in 1994. Ben Langford, Sheriff David P. Bushey, deputy William Jordan, deputy Daniel Brooks, Sgt. Eric Epperly, and deputy Shawn Ward. Not pictured is “It’s absolutely been effective,” said detective C.B. Sibley. (Photo by Tom Hardin) Captain Sampson, “Everyone has contributed to improving the depart- maps which make it easier to fi nd Bushey said he has established positive ‘can-do’ attitude and spirit of ful. Sheriff Bushey has bolstered my ment. Respect works both ways. addresses, especially when multiple better lines of communication cooperation that inspires others. confi dence that our team can suc- Morale has improved.” address numbers are posted at the end between his offi ce and the Middlesex “All of our constitutional offi cers cessfully address many of these. For In Bushey’s fi rst year as sheriff, a of a private road, said deputy Shawn County administration, and put in bring experience and professionalism example, our new school superinten- policies and procedure manual has Ward. place checks and balances. to their positions and together make dent Dr. Taylor, Sheriff Bushey, and been implemented. It was adopted Detective C.B. Sibley said Sheriff A credit card system has been a great team. In these times of ever I plan to meet to review the county’s using the Virginia Department of Bushey has obtained updated forensic instituted, and that signifi es “trust” increasing federal and state require- security measures at our schools,” Criminal Justice Services standards, equipment and new cameras. “That’s within the department, Captain ments on local governments in their said Walker. and was fi ne tuned to meet the needs what you have to have to catch the Sampson explained. “We have gained ongoing efforts to shift their respon- Accounting of Middlesex County, he said. bad guys, because they are out there his (Sheriff Bushey’s) trust, and that sibilities to us, it is critical to have a During the fi rst weeks of his term, Using $12,000 in drug asset forfei- every day trying to fi gure out ways to works both ways.” team that works together to fulfi ll our Sheriff Bushey learned “incident- ture funds, computers were installed in not get caught.” Trust also extends to the county respective missions of service to the based reporting” had not been done all patrol cars, which allows deputies Sheriff Bushey was a Middlesex offi ces, Sampson added. citizens of Middlesex,” said Walker. for a year and his department was to enter data on an incident immedi- deputy from 1994 to 1999. He was Middlesex County Administra- “We are all in this together. Sev- in danger of losing about $700,000 ately after it happens. “The computers chief deputy from 2000 to 2003. tor Matt Walker said, “I think Sher- eral projects facing Middlesex will in state funds. The State Compensa- get deputies back on the road quicker,” After that he worked in his diving iff Bushey has demonstrated a great require a great deal of inter-depart- tion Board gave the sheriff’s offi ce added Captain Sampson. and salvage business. He took offi ce deal of professionalism in how he mental cooperation and coordination The computers contain E-911 as sheriff on January 1, 2012. has tackled his fi rst year. He exudes a in order for the county to be success- (See Sheriff, page A3) County deputy ‘goes beyond the call of duty’ to save a life by Larry S. Chowning The Middlesex County Board of Supervisors honored Middlesex Deputy Trey Blake on Tuesday, December 18, for his efforts in saving the life of Deltaville resident John Harrison. At the supervisors meeting, county administrator Matt Walker read a Police found a bomb and a moonshine still at the Chop Shop on Route letter Harrison recently sent to the 33 at Harmony Village while executing a search warrant on December Middlesex County Sheriff’s Offi ce. 21. State Police used a special vehicle to pull open the locked front Harrison stated that on March 3 “a door, which had bars on it. very close friend of mine with whom I had been communicating daily for months, had not been able to reach me for a week or so.” Topping man faces gun Alarmed, the friend called the sher- iff’s offi ce from the Eastern Shore of Virginia and asked that someone go and moonshine charges to Harrison’s house to try to fi nd out Harrison’s whereabouts. According to Sheriff Bushey, a Deputy Blake was dispatched Bomb found search warrant was executed at Rogers’ to investigate. After repeatedly motorcycle shop about 4 p.m. on and loudly calling out without any by Tom Chillemi December 21. Police were looking for response, Blake walked around Har- evidence relating to the alleged felony rison’s house and looked in the win- A Topping man is charged with gun of December 15. dows for any sign of life. No lights felonies following an altercation that Meanwhile, a second team of police were on, making it diffi cult to see resulted in gunfi re, reported Middlesex arrested Rogers during a traffi c stop into the house. Blake saw nobody Sheriff David Bushey. near his home, which is near Hummel and saw no activity. According to Sheriff Bushey, Wil- Field in Topping. Harrison’s vehicle, however, was liam “Will” Henry Rogers, 34, of Top- Police attempted to enter Rogers’ in the driveway and Blake, appar- Middlesex Deputy Sheriff Trey Blake was honored by the Middlesex ping was arrested near Hummel Field cinderblock Chop Shop through doors, ently sensing something was not County Board of Supervisors on December 18 for his efforts in saving the on December 21. At the same time, a but were unsuccessful. A Virginia State right, took another look through the life of John Harrison of Deltaville on March 3, 2012. Above, from left, search warrant was being executed at Police tactical team gained entry by windows and saw a foot. Blake then Blake, Harrison and Sheriff David Bushey look at the plaque awarded by Rogers’ motorcycle business, the Chop using a vehicle to pull open the front kicked the door down and found Har- the supervisors. (Photo by Larry Chowning) Shop, located on Route 33 at Harmony door, which had security bars on it. rison lying unconscious on the fl oor. Village. During the search, police found Members of the Middlesex County According to the criminal complaint, what appeared to be a pipe bomb sur- Volunteer Rescue Squad were called saving my life, but really words are saving Mr. Harrison’s life and our the victim, who is a long-time acquain- rounded by black gun powder. Police and were there within minutes. A inadequate to express my gratitude,” congratulations go out to our sher- tance of Rogers, got into an alterca- immediately vacated the building and helicopter was dispatched from VCU/ he wrote. “I will be indebted to your iff’s department,” said Jessie. tion on December 15 at the shop. The secured the area. The 5th Division MCV Medical Center in Richmond [sheriff’s] offi ce and, specifi cally to Harrison experienced kidney victim alleges that Rogers fi red a gun State Police Bomb Squad was called to take Harrison to a hospital. him, forever.” failure due to sepsis (severe infec- at his vehicle. to the scene. Bomb technicians used Doctors estimated that Harrison On December 18, board chair- tion) from a serious pressure wound According to Middlesex Gen- a robot to disarm the device inside the had been on the fl oor barely con- man Wayne Jessie presented Deputy caused by being on the fl oor so long, eral District Court records Rogers, is building. Traffi c was stopped on Route scious for perhaps two to three days. Blake the plaque, which read, “in rec- and from complications from a bad charged with attempting to “maim, 33 during the controlled detonation. “Very likely I would have died had ognition of perseverance and action case of gout. After surgery, Harrison disfi gure, or kill”; displaying a fi rearm No one was injured.

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