Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

rva-fantom t1_iy3qcsh wrote

Man that is pretty damn dark… the determination to drive across the damn country to do that… that’s some wicked shit.

Imagine sitting in your car driving for two days straight with your thoughts that this is what you are gonna do… you can never convince me there isn’t evil in this world, because that’s just unthinkable the amount of premeditation this required.

172

instantcoffee69 t1_iy3rvo3 wrote

So let's break this down. Guy was a cop in Henrico (academy July 21- JAN22) and leaves the department within 10mo. Moved to far Western VA, Near Bristol. Works for the Washington Co Sheriff. Then within 2mo drives to California to murder a family of 4 and kidnap and teen girl.

Idk man, I got a feeling these "law enforcement" types got some serious personal problems. He most certainly was a groomer.

130

derndy t1_iy3ry6s wrote

"law enforcement worker"... Meaning police officer. They really won't write that a cop murdered people, huh.

357

shalomfromus t1_iy3smk4 wrote

I’m confused as to what color I should now paint that stripe in my American flag 🤷🏻‍♂️

36

Hiltson87 t1_iy3ushj wrote

Was he a cop? I assumed he worked for those departments but not in a law enforcement role based on the wording. Police departments have civilian roles like secretaries, people who work in the armories, clerical staff, etc.

17

GroundbreakingBite96 t1_iy3ykpu wrote

This is really sad, especially because the girl is so young, her family is taken away from her for the rest of her life because of an evil man. Also even crazier that he drove all the way there planning to kill them? Did he really think he wouldn’t be caught? Now ruining a kids life because he’s some creep. This is just awful.

63

HatefulDan t1_iy41kjf wrote

Why not say police officer? Always protecting the frat, looks like. It's okay NBC. Cops and murder go together like PB& banana.

22

i_need_a_lift t1_iy422ya wrote

Not necessarily. It's clear that he was formerly a VA state cop, but the article says they couldn't get an answer from the Washington County sheriff’s office on what his role was there. With a step down like that, I wouldn't automatically assume he'd been able to continue being a cop at his new job.

3

MLM1414 t1_iy44tyt wrote

Because it’s personnel matter. It’s not public information for why some resigned. I myself have taken multiple psych exams for multiple law enforcement jobs. They’re very lengthy (couple hundred questions) and an interview with a psychiatrist.

−21

Stofficer2 t1_iy44y9h wrote

Are you so dense to think that there are non law enforcement employees employed by a police station? If you answer phones for 911, you are in no way a law enforcement officer, just as one example. But keep chanting defund the police, it’s working out great for the left.

−24

derndy t1_iy456p4 wrote

The article states he was a state trooper

Edit: furthermore this is just one of many examples of the press refusing to reflect in their article titles that the perpetrator of a murder was a cop.

17

Stofficer2 t1_iy45h7o wrote

Oh it does? “Austin Lee Edwards of North Chesterfield, Virginia, who detectives learned had worked for the Virginia State Police until being recently employed at the Washington County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia.”

−21

DustySleeve t1_iy48d1j wrote

If youre reading this, go ahead and google 40% cops. Something something, monopoly on violence, outsourced gangwork for the landowning class, tasked with protecting property not people and enforcing laws written by old world elites...

Cops murder all the time. Its their exclusive right and borderline mandate. Excluding soldiers because The Enemy isnt people of course

38

wagonboss t1_iy49jhp wrote

Serious question:

I’m a firefighter, have a thin red line flag on my truck that I acquired after the second death of a close friend. If seen, do people remotely think I’m this kind of person?

I know what thin blue line flags stand for, especially after all the protests, but I wonder if it’s an assumption about everyone in public safety

Edit: add’l context

4

McCartyy25 t1_iy4b9n0 wrote

Y’all numbskulls love bashing cops. The reality is that there are nut jobs in every single profession that can hide it really well. 99.9% of cops that you don’t hear about are normal working people. Of course the media is gonna jump at any chance to shame a cop so y’all can take the bait.

R.I.P to the family but damn poor girl. This should be a reminder to always monitor what your kid is doing

−33

ShuRugal t1_iy4cdif wrote

>Cops murder all the time. Its their exclusive right and borderline mandate. Excluding soldiers because The Enemy isnt people of course

Having done the Army thing, my experience is that soldiers are WAY more responsible than the median police officer. It's amazing what even the pretense of oversight will do.

24

woodeehoo t1_iy4eab8 wrote

It’s called the “passive exonerative” and it’s basically in the damn style guide for reporting on any misdoings by members of LE in the media in order to minimize the relationship between the involvement or responsibility of LE and the ensuing crime or result.

It’s completely maddening but once you see it, you’ll start seeing it everywhere.

Recent examples include the case where a teenager fleeing her kidnapper was shot by LE, phrases like “the firearm was discharged, resulting in the death of XYZ”. Who exactly fired that firearm huh? Have the guns achieved sentience?

Meanwhile, same scenario with anyone BUT LE and you’ll see headlines like “crazed maniac murders good white Christians” (with the subtext being “vote Republican to stave off the Antifa takeover”)

It’s a form of manufacturing consent.

109

derndy t1_iy4ec2w wrote

I don't think I would assume that, and I'd say the majority of people I know have positive feelings towards firefighters. I would say, though, that you might not want the association with the thin blue line image.

20

derndy t1_iy4esj8 wrote

Yes, thank you for articulating what I couldn't! Reminds me of when my roommate begrudgingly venmo'd me for shoes her cat ruined with the comment "for shoes that got cat pee on them", haha.

31

RammmITTT t1_iy4eunh wrote

If anyone has any information about this f-ing scumbag from our very own backyard here in RVa: "Officials said their investigation and anyone with information about the case should contact Detective Josh Ontko at 951-353-7135 or JOntko@RiversideCA.gov, or Detective Bryan Galbreath at 951-353-7105 or BGalbreath@RiversideCA.gov. Those wishing to remain anonymous can email RPDTips@RiversideCA.gov. "

​

From WTVR6: "Edwards was a Virginia State Police Trooper from July 2021 until his resignation last month. He was assigned to Henrico County, Virginia, according to a Virginia State Police spokesperson. The reason for his resignation was not disclosed."

Why not disclose why he resigned?

15

nartarf t1_iy4ezxp wrote

There isn’t an ounce of hate for firefighters out there, but creating a new flag out of the American flag seems a little wrong. I could see how someone might conflate the two.

34

Diet_Coke t1_iy4fbu3 wrote

>The reality is that there are nut jobs in every single profession that can hide it really well.

The reality is that a police officer can murder you and get a paid vacation and then continue in their career as if nothing happened. Or they can get fired, remain free, and go work at another police department. When citizens of Richmond peacefully assembled to protest police brutality, the local police brutalized them. Police have a level of power that no other profession does, they are not shy about exercising that power, and they should be held to a higher standard.

​

>Of course the media is gonna jump at any chance to shame a cop

Like the same media that called this cop a "law enforcement worker"? This is r/rva not r/Persecutionfetish

23

derndy t1_iy4gce5 wrote

Yeah the article is purposely vague. We know now that he was employed with the state troopers, resigned, then hired by Washington police. Washington police dept stated that he was indeed hired as an officer (per the link). He may have still been in training but he was definitely a cop when he murdered three people and abducted a teen. (so, a cop AND a pedophile murderer!).

12

RammmITTT t1_iy4gcmo wrote

Some articles out there are calling him a "former employee"... yeah, a sick fk who has the power to pull you over and legally keep you hostage in the back of his car. And he was one of those "employees" up until last month. VSP have to release more info about his "resignation" than what they're presently doing.

16

McCartyy25 t1_iy4gg0p wrote

You are clearly a victim of brainwashing if you honestly believe everything you just said. Keep believing everything you read online buddy, it’s clearly going well for you

−23

RammmITTT t1_iy4i7xx wrote

>there are nut jobs

There are nut jobs, and there are psychopathic aholes that should be easier to weed out of certain professions. Someone not only capable of doing but probable to do something like this will be flagged in anything resembling a proper assessment.

Fact is, this is nothing new.

WE PAY these peoples' salaries. They work for US. We have the right to be outraged, to condemn what we know is sub par, and to demand better.

8

james4765 t1_iy4j2wf wrote

I've also seen the yellow line being used for towing and recovery types. I know the difference but not everyone does, and it's uncomfortably close to the apologetics for the worst of LE. Granted, it'll also make your life easier while dealing with those "bad apples", so... shrug

8

TheLookoutGrey t1_iy4kpcn wrote

Nothing but admiration & respect for firefighters. I’m honesty, though, any “thin x line” flag illicits an initial feeling of “I defend my own despite any potential wrongdoing” instead of the intended spirit of it. That might just be me, though. That being said - I’ve never conflated thin red & thin blue together much.

26

TheCheeseDevil t1_iy4m2of wrote

lmao my hairdresser went through a longer training period than this murderer did to become a trooper. I don't trust those armed jackasses. few months of training, give em a gun and turn em loose

6

phocuetu t1_iy4nx2r wrote

The call is coming from inside the police station😂 It’s almost like the toxic culture of power tripping militarized police has a knack for drawing in psychopaths and flat out pieces of shit.

29

RammmITTT t1_iy4on1k wrote

>don’t call 911

We PAY 911- in everything we do, everything we buy, a chunk goes to them, out of our pockets. Most of us, pay for them many times per day. They work for us. They're not an exclusive private army shielded from scrutiny. You may want this to be the case, but it's not.

5

mayflowers5 t1_iy4q20a wrote

Okay cop, you’re not really welcome to comment on this when you’re inadvertently saying there’s plenty of evaluation that goes into being fit to serve. Obviously there’s huge flaws in the system then.

5

mayflowers5 t1_iy4r2kk wrote

Well since the police don’t actually prevent crime and only show up after the fact that’s not a problem. What good was calling 911 for the children of Uvalde? Or how about Christian Glass?

I witnessed an attempted kidnapping at gun point and got the victim to safety and it took police 30 minutes to arrive. I even stopped an officer on the street to let them know I had called 911 and asked if they could help, and they said to wait for the officer who was dispatched … cops are useless and you are a bootlicker.

3

mayflowers5 t1_iy4s0dy wrote

Read the room dude. Most other jobs don’t give their employees weapons and access to data that isn’t available to the public. This isn’t an isolated incident, this happens daily across the US where a cop has been caught doing something sick and twisted. Settlements against the police have totaled over 1.5 billion dollars for gross misconduct and negligence. Obviously there is an evaluation and obviously it is flawed, enough said.

7

kneel_yung t1_iy4vd9w wrote

As a practical consideration, they do this because they need access to police, otherwise the police will give exclusive scoops and interviews to their competitors.

Is it shitty? Of course it is. But news is entertainment and the goal is to make money. News is not a public service like many seem to think it is. They're private businesses looking to pad their bottom line in any way possible. The rich capitalists who own the media couldn't care less how informed people are. The just want cheap content, and cops give it to them for free.

8

TGIIR t1_iy4wcnt wrote

I live in Henrico and it creeps me out this guy was a state trooper and assigned here (not to wish him on anyone else). I would very much like to know the story of his resignation. What he did to this young girl is just horrible.

8

freetimerva t1_iy4yw7e wrote

>The worker had driven off with the girl after the killings, police said.

The worker.

8

DustySleeve t1_iy4yy7j wrote

I agree from who ive known. Which is astounding considering the last resort take all kinds deal the army is for lots of folks - somehow they must be more selective or uh actually train their people who are granted lethal force. But you hit on the key point - muthafukin oversight, responsibility for your actions babyyyy

The stereotype that cops with federally subsidized less than lethal (ideally, when operated by responsible adults) toys just wanna play soldier but couldnt hack it seems to hold water

3

ShuRugal t1_iy4z8qw wrote

>actually train their people who are granted lethal force.

it's this one. I was in from 2013-2017, and we were grilled mercilessly on RoE and use of force escalations allowable outside of combat.

1

Significant_Rope9961 t1_iy51ggd wrote

Gives me The Good Nurse vibes. Instead of working with hospitals to identify a trend of a murderous nurse, they all hid behind liability and confidentiality clauses. Same shit here. I bet the employers knew of an issue.

7

xDocFearx t1_iy539sk wrote

“I’m sir before we hire you, the higher ups always have us ask you this question, would you catfish a teenager and kill her family?” How exactly do you test for this. It would take extensive examining to really get an idea of if someone is fit or not and that’s asking a lot of stations that already face budget issues all the time

−3

_Joe_Momma_ t1_iy550j1 wrote

Right. Armies operate with imperialist violence abroad while police are imperialist violence returning to the metropol.

Hey, that reminds of a definition of something, some kind of authoritarian ideology... what was- Oh no!

0

Stofficer2 t1_iy58l8t wrote

Why are you omitting this?

“ He was assigned to Henrico County, which is within the Richmond Division, they said, before RESIGNING on Oct. 28”

−1

Turbulent-Flamingo84 t1_iy5f6qg wrote

Well, he was only on the job 10 months and resigned in October apparently. So, he wasn’t a current State Trooper. No one noticed any signs of psychological trouble with the guy the article I read said. But, something must have been going on if he resigned after only 10 months on the job.

−1

Murky-Echidna-3519 t1_iy5har7 wrote

He had resigned. He is a former LEO. Or more commonly known as a private citizen.

−9

Stofficer2 t1_iy5jia2 wrote

Exactly. Hired by Washington sheriffs office as a law enforcement employee. Just like how Paul pelosi attacker was a right wing extremist and the Colorado nightclub shooter hated gays.

Your original comment was expressing your frustration toward law enforcement for trying to cover for their fellow officers. The pelosi attacker was a leftist, the Colorado nightclub shooter was trans. Your frustration should be with the inaccurate media we have, not with for example, law enforcement who had nothing to do with writing this article.

−3

Stofficer2 t1_iy5ocbu wrote

You’re welcome to move to a country that has no law and order. South Africa is a perfect example of what happens when identity politics takes over law and order. South Africa will welcome you with open arms…. As long as your not white. You’re not white, right?

−1

Rodzilla_Blood t1_iy5pchz wrote

Read this sick shit on CNN this morning.... SMFH I think my little brother went to school with this shitbag

2

melonlollicholypop t1_iy5q36s wrote

Gavin de Becker is a renowned violence prevention expert, and he advises that when hiring someone into a position of custodial power that you expressly ask exactly such ridiculous-seeming questions. He instructs parents to ask potential babysitters things like "Do you fantasize sexually about children?" and "Have you ever touched someone in a sexually inappropriate manner?" He says you're not asking because you expect them to give you an honest answer. You're asking because the question is so unexpected that their unguarded reaction will inform your intuition. Without knowing why, you will either be comforted by their response or a chill will go down your spine. Without understanding why, obey that instinct.

In the 1980s, together with the United States Marshals Service, Gavin de Becker co-designed the MOSAIC Threat Assessment Systems, which is used to screen threats to justices of the Supreme Court of the United States, members of United States Congress, and senior officials of the Central Intelligence Agency. Los Angeles County Law enforcement agencies adopted MOSAIC in 1997 to help police manage and reduce spousal abuse cases that might escalate to homicide.

4

wagonboss t1_iy5r3f8 wrote

That region of VA is very very very religious. If you’re on Facebook, there’s a page called Scannerfood where you can see SWVa on full display everyday

It can be laughable and embarrassing to the state all at once

5

derndy t1_iy5sb9w wrote

No it wasn't? My original comment was about how journalists never state that a cop has murdered someone. In this article in particular they went to great lengths to avoid using the words "police officer". This obfuscation in the polices favor is frequent.

1

derndy t1_iy5sqne wrote

And then he was hired by the Washington sheriff's department. Try again. If his first department knew he had these kinds of issues do you really think it'd be ok for them to let him resign and get a job doing the same thing elsewhere? Where is the accountability? Where is the process to weed out these freaks? Whatever the police are doing is not working because they're empowering people who wish to do others harm.

3

derndy t1_iy5t68d wrote

The Washington sheriff's department stated publicly that he was employed there. It's not some conspiracy, he was a cop. And until the police as a whole start fixing their problems and really examining who they employ, they're just gonna keep being hated. No responsibility without accountability.

2

bmore_in_rva t1_iy5u1u7 wrote

As I understand it, the idea behind the "thin blue line" flag is that there's a "thin line" of police between society / civilization and chaos (which they presume would exist / rule in the absence of coercive force / threat from armed agents of the state). I'm not really sure what the thin red line is supposed to represent, other than maybe an attempt to associate firefighters with police. So, if the goal is to express a need for mental health support for or love of firefighters, I don't think a "thin red line" flag is conveying that meaning to me. Something more direct might better convey that message, if that's what you intend.

3

derndy t1_iy5vp05 wrote

Lol what does South Africa have to do with anything. I'm all for having laws, but the police ain't working. They have zero accountability, little training, and too much power/force behind them. Are you ok with guys like this patrolling your streets?

2

Turbulent-Flamingo84 t1_iy5vr8u wrote

You’re right. He went to a county department but he had just started orientation on 11/16. It doesn’t say why he changed.
I don’t disagree with you that some bad eggs end up in the PDs. But, these are human resource heavy organizations. It’s not likely that you’re NOT gonna have some freaks. They don’t pay them worth a dag. I’m not sure why normal people would WANT to do that job. Hey, I’m not taking up for anyone, but the reality is being a police officer has to be a crap job. But, that doesn’t change the fact that, in spite of their struggles to get people among this labor shortage, that they should set the bar as high as possible including substantial psychological testing. Maybe this guy didn’t wave his “I’m a pedofile and a murderer” flag to these people. Serial killers live whole normal lives and no one knows.

2

derndy t1_iy5whmy wrote

Ok. My point was that every article I've seen about it, including this one, makes it very difficult to parse that he was a cop in the first place. You can see by how many people in this thread alone couldn't tell due to the wording of the article. The headline is ridiculous, should read "Virginia police officer shot dead after abducting teenage girl and killing her family." There are many people out there who won't read further and will never know that this is the kind of person hired for the police force.

3

sleevieb t1_iy620ud wrote

Iirc to get fcc licenses to broadcast the major channels had to agree to provide news. I think it got shut down by the Supreme Court or deregulated in the late 80s.

Cops are public servants and it’s gross that they have to be treated a certain way by reporters if anyone expects them to say anything.

5

wagonboss t1_iy6aves wrote

All of the thin lines are supposed to be used for deaths within the service. That’s how it’s used exclusively amongst the fire service. But when police faced scrutiny, the pro police community turned it into a symbol and ruined it. And yes, I’ve seen that portrayal of the thin blue line too.

Edit: Addition

1

Stofficer2 t1_iy6fy4j wrote

One of my fellow state troopers? I’m not involved with any law enforcement agency nor friends with any state troopers. If anything fuck the VA state police. They were 100% complacent in the Charlottesville riots that led to that schizo dude run that poor girl over.

1

A_Big_Teletubby t1_iy6lmsv wrote

They changed their name in 2016 to get away from their dad and encyclopedia dramatica. cant find anything about them ever declaring nonbinary before the shooting. transparent attempt to avoid hate crime charges

2

jif613 t1_iy8y3p5 wrote

Former servant for the state, now a slave to the state. Hopefully they take good care of him in prison or hell. Whichever happens first, he don’t have a choice in the matter.

1

Stofficer2 t1_iya48t5 wrote

Oh ok so your statement isn’t a conspiracy theory but Paul pelosi attacker filling his blogs with right wing propaganda two weeks before the attack, that’s a conspiracy theory? Got it. Another example of how the left refuses to accept that they too have mentally unstable extremist on their side.

0

A_Big_Teletubby t1_iyahru4 wrote

the paul pelosi guy was a crackpot for sure. why would i care about his political affiliation. youre bringing up random shit for no reason. Going to a club and killing gay people is the logical endpoint of the republican Groomer discourse and a lot of the party clearly condones that.

2

Stofficer2 t1_iyamcxa wrote

Not at all. Pushing the gay agenda down kids throats have led to the current rhetoric. Drag shows at schools is absolutely fucking pointless. Books in public libraries depicting sexual acts between two people (whether it be gay or straight) is absolutely fucking pointless, too. Those books were in Virginia school libraries.

I’m bringing up “old random shit” to prove how biased the media is. Why do you think there’s so much hate between the left and the media towards Elon? He’s letting the right voice their opinions.

0