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PRSRT STD U.S. Postage ServingServing PAID Areas of Burke Martinsburg, WV FairfaxFairfax Areas of Burke PERMIT #86 Attention Postmaster: Time sensitive material. Requested in home 06-5-09 Classified, Page 15 Classified, ❖ Sports, Page 12 ❖ Calendar, Page 11 History Right Here News, Page 3 Gov. William ‘Extra Billy’ Smith, portrayed by David Meisky of Springfield, and Gen. Richard ammer/The Connection Ewell, portrayed by Chris Godart of Herndon, attend the dedication Koger Peace Floats and unveiling of a historical marker for the memory of Capt. John Quincy Marr, the first Confed- On Kite Strings erate officer killed in the Civil War. Sentenced News, Page 4 News, Page 2 Photo by Robbie h Photo www.ConnectionNewspapers.comJune 4-10, 2009 Volume XXIII, Number 22 online at www.connectionnewspapers.comFairfax Connection ❖ June 4-10, 2009 ❖ 1 News Koger Sentenced For Shooting Spree Embezzler of homeowner associations sentenced to 66 years for 2008 shootings. By Ken Moore and four in the morning, Bonnie Hobbs ‘Your son’s been shot The Connection four times in the spine, stomach, leg and chest,’ he survival of and seeing him in the six innocent hospital on machines Tvictims — and wondering if he’s three civilians going to walk again,” and three officers — “is a said Gerdak. “No one miracle,” said Judge should have a right to Jonathan C. Thacher. take your life but God. “Only by the grace of I think Mr. Koger God did the [shooting] Photo Sheriff’s thought he was God spree not result in mass that night.” casualties,” the judge The two men weren’t said. Koger’s first victims on A bullet remains lodged Feb. 2, 2008. in Scott Duke’s sternum Shortly before in the from the night of Feb. 2, Jeffrey Koger City of Alexandria, 2008, when Jeffrey Scott Koger shot taxicab Koger, 39, of Herndon, driver Bereket Tewelda, fired a revolver randomly 36, who was stopped at at Duke and five others in Alexandria and a traffic light at Seminary Road and North Fairfax County. Beauregard St. “Having to look at the person who tried Koger pulled up behind him in a 1990 to take your life, never knowing you, is kind Jeep Cherokee, got out of his car, walked of hard,” said Duke, Thursday, May 28 at to the taxi driver’s window, and fired sev- Koger’s sentencing hearing in Fairfax County Circuit Court. “I thought of my fam- ily and them getting a call saying, ‘Your son “Koger set about to cause was shot in the chest.’” Najib Gerdak, 27, of Franconia, attempted harm, death and to help Duke; Koger then shot Gerdak mul- devastation.” tiple times. Bullets went through Gerdak’s shoulder, spine, colon and groin. — Judge Jonathan C. Thacher “There’s not a moment it doesn’t affect me. I have to look at the holes in my body eral shots at the driver, a man he didn’t all the time, so you always remember,” said know. Gerdak, who testified how Koger pointed a Tewelda still feels pain, can’t sit for more gun at his head. than an hour or stand more than a half-hour “He asked me twice who my savior was,” at a time and has more than $170,000 of Gerdak said. “I didn’t do anything to him, outstanding medical bills. Tewelda has so tell me why I should get shot?” trouble supporting his family now, he testi- In February 2008, Gerdak was at the peak fied. of his profession, he said, cutting hair and Thacher sentenced Koger Thursday to teaching stylists about the latest and upcom- serve 66 years in prison for three counts of ing trends. Now nerve damage impairs his malicious wounding, three counts of the at- ability to move his hands and bullet wounds tempted capital murder of three police of- have robbed his strength. ficers and two counts of use of a firearm “I used to be able to bench a house, now during the commission of a felony. I can hardly carry my book bag,” he said, “Koger planned, prepared and armed explaining how he lost most of his clientele himself and set about to cause harm, death and earns 75 percent less income than in and devastation. What makes it worse is he 2008. had no specific target, but randomly se- More than 100 people visited Gerdak at lected his victims,” the judge said. “It’s a the hospital the day after Koger shot him. miracle they survived. They survived to Recently, he returned for one of his many endure a life of pain and multiple disabili- follow-up procedures at the hospital for ties.” surgery to remove a bullet from his spine. Virginia State Trooper Jonathan M. Gerdak said he thought of his parents as Groner pursued Koger after Koger shot his he lay on the cold wet street with Duke, first three victims. thinking he and Duke were going to die. “Can you imagine getting a phone call at See Koger’s, Page 18 2 ❖ Fairfax Connection ❖ June 4-10, 2009 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Fairfax Connection Editor Michael O’Connell News 703-917-6440 or [email protected] New Marr Marker Unveiled in Fairfax Marker honors first Confederate officer killed in Civil War. By Justin Fanizzi The Connection airfax County added another feather in its historical cap last F weekend, as the Virginia Depart ment of Historic Resources dedi- cated a new historical marker in honor of Capt. John Marr. The marker, located near the flag array by Photo in front of the Massey Building on the prop- erty of the Fairfax County Judicial Center, was dedicated in a ceremony Sunday, May Robbie Hammer 31. The event welcomed several elected officials, historians and Civil War re-enac- tors. “The markers help connect people to his- toric places,” said Joanie Evans of the De- /The Connection partment of Historic Resources, who was in attendance. “It talks about what the com- munity has contributed to history and helps us to learn the past and guide us into the future.” According to the Department of Historic Resources, on June 1, 1861, Company B of Area residents, dignitaries and Civil-War era re-enactors participate in the unveiling and dedication cer- emony for a historical marker located near the Fairfax County Judicial Center. The marker commemorates See Historic, Page 14 the spot where Capt. John Quincy Marr died. Marr was first Confederate officer to be killed in the Civil War. A Small Way of Giving Back Racing for Hepatitis C said Priya D’Souza, who had taught programming to Library honors Fairfax herself. “My husband and children came that Decem- Awareness, Funding ber, and I visited the library in Fairfax a lot to read. I couple for volunteerism. thought it was a beautiful place.” After meeting Makowski and the library’s techni- Tim Harmon 5K is June 13. By Bonnie Hobbs cal expert, Andrew Pendergrass, Priya D’Souza told The Connection them she worked in information technology and By Bonnie Hobbs asked if they could start some classes there. “I had The Connection or the past eight years, husband-and-wife team the time, so I started teaching Microsoft Office classes FRobert and Priya D’Souza of Fairfax have vol- in 2000,” she said. “This country has been very good o cure exists for the hepatitis C that claimed Tim unteered at the City of Fairfax Regional Library. to us. The first week I was here, I got three job of- NHarmon’s life in 1999 at age 51. But it’s hoped that Now they’ve been honored as the library’s Star Vol- fers, so I wanted to help others find jobs in IT, too.” funds raised by a 5K race in his honor will help to- unteers. Her husband began teaching there, too, although ward that goal and also educate the public about this disease. “This was a competitive nomi- both had and still have full-time The 10th Annual Tim Harmon Memorial 5K Run/Walk is Sat- nation, but they’ve given excep- jobs. Robert D’Souza is an electri- urday, June 13, at 8:30 a.m., rain or shine, at the Fairfax County tional service,” said Nancy “We get much more cal engineer, but is in his second Government Center. The course is mostly flat and fast, begin- Makowski, the library’s adult ser- career as a technology education ning and ending in front of the Government Center and going vices information manager. “They than we give.” teacher at Lanier Middle School. out to West Ox Road and Monument Drive. make a wonderful technology Priya D’Souza used to be an IT Cost is $21, and participants may register at team that’s provided training for — Priya D’Souza, consultant, then started her own www.racepacket.com, or in person on race day, from 7-8:15 library customers in how to use the library volunteer company and is now a financial a.m. For more information, call 703-934-8756, e-mail Internet, library databases and analyst with Intel in Washington, [email protected] or see www.timharmon5k.org. Microsoft office programs.” D.C. “Besides the runners, it attracts a mixture of people,” said She estimates that, over the years, their instruc- At one time, the D’Souzas’ two children taught with race director Tom Cook of Chantilly’s Armfield Farms commu- tion has reached more than 1,000 library customers. them at the library, but now both are in college. Steve, nity. “A lot of them knew Tim and worked with him; others “Both Robert and Priya have excellent communica- 19, attends VCU, and Stephanie, 18, is at Johns come to support friends and family members with hepatitis C.
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