MIDLOTHIAN, Va. (WRIC) — A memorial service was held for fallen Henrico County police officer Trey M. Sutton at the Victory Tabernacle Church in Midlothian on Wednesday.
The services were open to the public, with those unable to attend the church viewing remotely from Clover Hill High School or from home.
Fellow officers, from agencies across Virginia, joined Sutton’s family, fiancee and other loved ones in remembrance.
“We were living in a fairytale. It was everything we wanted it to be and more,” Sutton’s fiancee Zoe Pearson said, sharing her heartbreak. “But last Wednesday, I started living in a nightmare, one I still believe that I will eventually wake up from.”
Sutton’s remains were then carried out of the church amid a sea of blue– a gathering of fellow law enforcement officers– and taken to Merchants Hope Memorial Gardens in Hopewell were he will be interred.
“He was surrounded by his mother, father, brother and Zoe while he was passing,” Henrico Police Basic Academy Coordinator Andrew Lehatto said, reading from a letter written by Sutton’s parents. “Now he’s surrounded by his family, his friends… and a whole community and a sea of law enforcement brothers and sisters.”
Officer Sutton, 24, lost his life in a tragic car crash while on duty on March 30, which left one other officer and a man in custody fighting for their lives.
He had recently graduated from Henrico Police academy and was due to be married in June.
His badge number, 559, will be retired- never to be worn by another Henrico officer.
A vigil was held Monday, April 4, at the Henrico Police Memorial where dozens of police officers, members of the community and religious leaders joined Sutton’s family to pay their respects.
On Tuesday, Governor Youngkin ordered flags to be flown at half-mast in honor of Sutton.
Representative Abigail Spanberger honored Sutton on the floor of the U. S. House of Representatives on Wednesday.
“We will remember Officer Sutton for his service to our community. We will remember his commitment to our Commonwealth. And we will remember his story as one of purpose and inspiration for our country,” Spanberger said in her address to the House.
Officer Greg Petrohovich, the Henrico police officer who was in the cruiser with Sutton when the crash occurred, and the man they had in custody remain in critical condition.
Those looking to donate on behalf of these officers can do so through the Henrico Police Foundation or by giving blood.
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