Richmond Policeman Doug Wendel fataly shot

WWBT Channel 12 news ^ | July 31, 2003 | Aaron Gilchrist

[judicial meanz]

Richmond Police say they are following up a number of leads in Thursday's shooting death of Police Officer Douglas Wendel.

Police say Wendel, 41, was shot in the neck after responding to a call near Midlothian and 33rd Street . The call reported two men selling drugs.

Sources say Wendel was talking with one man, when he was approached from behind by the shooter. Those sources say he was shot twice from behind, and did not have time to respond with his own weapon.

Richmond Police Chief Andre Parker would not confirm those details of Wendel's death.

The Richmond SWAT team went through Midlothian Village Apartments, near the shooting scene, looking for the suspect.

Wendel, 41, is a five-year veteran of the force. He had three children, ages 11, seven and four. He was in the process of getting a divorce, and had a new fiancée.

Officer Wendell was part of the city's WAVE unit, which targets street level drug dealers and gun possession. Police are trying to determine if his activities in that unit might have prompted his death.

State and federal law enforcement officers were seen helping Richmond Police in their investigation of the crime scene and assist in their sweep of the area. Officers from Chesterfield and Henrico also aided in the massive investigation.

At mid-day Thursday, police were still in the area interviewing possible witnesses. In addition, it appeared they were searching the area with a metal detector.

Richmond Police $10,000 Reward offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Officer Wendel's killer. Call (804) 646-5109 or (804) 780-1000

The city of Richmond is offering a ten-thousand dollar reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the shooter. Anyone with information can call a Richmond police hotline at (804) 646-5109.

Wendell is the first Richmond Officer to die in the line of duty in five years

[judicial meanz]

This was my friend. I would like to ask that FReepers inclined to do so pray for his family and the persons affected.

[Frank_Discussion]

Absolutely.

[babygene]

"He was in the process of getting a divorce, and had a new fiancée."

I didn't know you could get engaged while you were still married... With three kids no less.

[judicial meanz]

Virginia requires one year of seperation before you can file a divorce decree. Richmond courts are backed up in dockets, and divorce cases take months to complete on top of that year waiting period.

He had been seperated for quite some time. 2 years I know of.

[manic4organic]

"I didn't know you could get engaged while you were still married... With three kids no less."

I didn't know you could be so calloused at the passing of a law enforcement officer. My prayers are with his family and friends.

[AppyPappy]

Amen. Prayers being lifted up.

[GodBlessRonaldReagan]

Prayers for the family on the way...this happened not too far from where I work. Glad I moved to the country this year...

[judicial meanz]

Midlothian Village is a h*llhole that needs a major flushing. Watch your back in that neighborhood.

[GodBlessRonaldReagan]

I know...we've had lots of break-ins and car theft over the years. Even had a body dumped on our company property once!

[Corin Stormhands]

Most certainly will pray.

I was driving home down Midlothian turnpike and saw the cars responding. I counted at least nine vehicles (police, sherrif or fire) heading that way. I knew something big had happened.

I live in Chesterfield. Feel free to freepmail me if you'd like to chat.

[judicial meanz]

When I worked in Richmond, Doug would come to visit me several times a night. He was a decent guy, and I really did enjoy his company.

This hit me like a ton of bricks, and I have seen it many times before. For some reason, I never would have thought of Doug getting it. He was too tight, and he was too safety conscious.

Senseless ....

[netmilsmom]

God Bless his children. Daddy is so important.
Prayers for all involved!

[babygene]

There's nothing callouse about my comment... It was just an observation that I find intresting.

[Gabz]

My prayers to his family and friends.

[babygene]

"Virginia requires one year of seperation before you can file a divorce decree."

I understand that… But the reason for that “year” is to allow the couple time to work things out, not time to find a new spouse.

[Johnny Gage]

Police Officer Douglas Wendel

Prayers of strength and peace for his family.

[Moose4]

Oh wow, that's awful. Prayers to his family and friends and to his comrades in the RPD.

I used to live in Richmond and there are several wide swaths of that town that would heavily benefit from being hit with small nuclear devices. That end of Midlothian Turnpike and the nearby areas along Hull Street are two of them. I lived in the West End for 3 1/2 years and roamed the entire town frequently, and bubba, you bet I only made the mistake of driving down Hull Street at night ONCE. That's been a miniature hellhole down there for over thirty years. I remember riding up Hull when I was a small child, in the car with my parents as we traveled to see my brother, who lived in a trailer park out Va. 5. That road scared the crap out of me even then, 30 years ago.

Actually before I looked that address up on Mapquest, I got confused and mixed Midlothian and 33rd up with Broad and 33rd in the East End near Chimborazo, near the Battlefield Park's Visitors Center. Not that that's any better a neighborhood, mind you. (Yes, folks, Richmond is a weird enough town to have two separate 33rd Streets...West/East 33rd on the west side where the shooting took place, and North/South 33rd on the east side five miles away.)

I expect that soon we'll be hearing the Richmond city councilcritter for that area complaining about police brutality and how the shooter was a victim of the system and that they need to raise property taxes yet again to get more money for "programs."

}:-)4

[society-by-contract]

I thought anything south of the rivah was a hellhole.

(stuck up west ender)

[iceskater]

I was sorry to hear about this. He was shot from behind which is horrible. How are his children doing?

[judicial meanz]

I havent heard yet....I'll be getting a phone call later.