2002 suspect was killed after opening fire on officers during traffic stop
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Documents obtained by 8News reveal Richmond’s Acting Police Chief Rick Edwards was involved in a deadly officer-involved shooting more than 20 years ago.
After digging through our news archives and reviewing information received last week from Richmond Police through a Freedom of Information Act request, 8News learned the situation unfolded in the city’s southside on Dec. 16, 2002.
Watch the interview with Acting Police Chief Rick Edwards
Documents show Edwards and another officer, Shane Waite, were patrolling under a newly formed, high visibility strike force called the Wave Unit to crack down on criminal activity.
According to reports at the time, the pair stopped a driver, identified as 21-year-old Isaac Thompson, for improper registration. The report says that Thompson ran from the officers before firing a gun, and striking one several times in the chest. Both officers reportedly returned fire, striking and killing Thompson on the scene.
A resident who lived near where the shooting happened on Castlewood Road told 8News at the time that she was relieved police were patrolling the area.
“We really need it because it’s a lot going on. I see them patrolling the area a lot and it’s not as bad as it used to be,” she said. “I think by police being here in the neighborhood it will help a lot.”
This information comes to light as Edwards vies to become the permanent police chief and increase trust and transparency in the department.
During a crime briefing this year, Edwards told 8News he had applied for the chief position, and also outlined the new core values of the department.
“Rebuilding trust and legitimacy… that is one of the most important things I can say,” Edwards said. “We have to be viewed as legitimate and part of that is being transparent and open.”
It also comes as the department investigates four officer-involved shootings in 2023.
According to a representative for the City of Richmond, a select group of community leaders and people within the police department were recently made aware of Edwards’ involvement in the 2002 shooting.
The chief says he met with community leaders a few weeks after he accepted the position of acting chief.
8News sat down with Edwards tonight for an exclusive conversation about his role in the shooting and to find out why his department did not release information about the shooting when he took the interim role.
