CHARLES CITY COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — The Charles City County Sheriff’s Office temporarily halted all other broadcasts on its scanner in honor of a fallen brother Sunday morning.
“Unit 35, twelve years ago you left us with no warnings or time to say goodbye,” the message began. “We all miss your infectious smile, witty remarks and uncanny behavior.”
The man called “Unit 35” was Deputy Sheriff Michael Christopher Walizer, who died in the line of duty 12 years ago. This broadcast marked the 12th anniversary of his death.
In the early morning hours of Saturday, March 31, 2012, Walizer was responding to another deputy’s call to assist with a traffic stop when his patrol car reportedly ran off the roadway and struck a tree. He died at the scene.
Walizer was 36 years old at the time of his death and had been with the Charles City County Sheriff’s Office for many years.
Throughout the years since his death, his brothers and sisters at Charles County Sheriff’s Office, as well as the surrounding community, have never forgotten him. He is regularly posted about and spoken about by the sheriff’s office and his entry on the Officer Down Memorial Page has over 250 entries.
“You were a great guy, great cop and you absolutely loved the job,” the most recent one, written on Sunday by a former colleague and friend, reads. “You are never forgotten.”
On Sunday, alongside this memorial broadcast, those with the sheriff’s office put shrouds over their badges in his memory.
“Continue to get your rest brother, as we, your brothers and sisters in blue will continue to have the watch,” the broadcast continued. “Make sure the police cars up there have all their hubcaps, [and that] their antennas are straight and not looking sassy. We love you, Unit 35.”
You can listen to the entire broadcasted message on the Charles City County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.
