New Details: Virginia Beach police officer shot & killed in early morning traffic stop06/23/2003
A Virginia Beach police officer was killed in a shootout early Monday with a six-time felon who also was killed. Two people are under arrest.
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Police said two men were in the vehicle. They've been identified as Shawn Anthony Zhe, 21, of 900 block Maximus Square, and the dead man, LeKeith Devon Spellers, 21, of 600 block Governor’s Way in Va. Beach.
Spellers apparently got out of his vehicle and started shooting and Officer Pocceschi returned fire.
Virginia Beach police chief A.M. Jacocks Jr. said in an afternoon news conference that a 16-year-old who was returning home from fishing saw the officer on the ground and pulled over to help. He then flagged down a passing K-9 unit which was responding to the IHOP robbery.
Authorities don't think Pocceschi knew of the robbery. Chief Jacocks said the IHOP workers didn't see the getaway car, so they didn't have a description to put out to patrol units.
The IHOP robbery occurred about 3:20 a.m. The manager and two employees were robbed at gunpoint by masked men. While the restaurant was open for business, there were no customers at the time. No one was hurt.
OFFICER POCCESHI BACKGROUND:
Officer Pocceschi, 33 years old, was part of the Selective Enforcement Team, which specializes in DUI enforcement. He came to the Virginia Beach Police Department on August 2, 1999.
On June 1, 2003, he was part of Special Operations as a member of the Selective Enforcement team working from Kempsville with the fourth precinct.
He had received one letter of recognition and seven letters of appreciation.
Before coming to Va. Beach, he was in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. From September 1995 - 1998, he was a patrolman with the Bloomsburg police department.
He attended college there and received a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice.
He leaves behind a wife, Maria, and nine-month-old son named Carson.
SUSPECTS' BACKGROUND:
Speller: Police said Speller was a six-time convicted felon who was wanted for burglary, grand larceny, violation of probation and failure to appear for assault on Va. Beach police officer. The first assault charge was also against a Fourth precinct officer. It occurred on December 30, 2002 against Officer Brian J. Fair.
Zhe: Shawn Anthony Zhe lives in the 900 block of Maximus Square. He's charged with robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, use of firearm. It's unclear why he stayed at the scene after shots were fired. He was arrested at the scene.
Tatum: Christina Marie Tatem, 18, of the 3900 block of Cinema Drive. She's an employee of the International House of Pancakes and is "a known associate of the other two. We believe she allowed them access into restaurant through rear door,” said Chief Jaycoe.
She's also charged with robbery, conspiracy and use of a firearm.
OFFICER POCCESCHI FUND:
You can make donations through the Va. Beach Municipal Federal Employees Credit Union
