RALEIGH COUNTY, WV (WOAY) – Governor Patrick Morrisey ordered state flags flown at half-staff on May 15, 2025, in honor of Peace Officers Memorial Day.
The Beckley Police Department remembered one of its own who made the ultimate sacrifice. Detective Cpl. Chuck Smith was shot and killed during an undercover drug buy in August 2006.
Also lost in the line of duty was the department’s Sgt. Lilly in 1975 and Patrolman Buckland in 1956.
“The dangers exist every day. We never know what a call may lead to. More often than not, things turn out okay, but the threat is always there,” said Pfc. Adam Justice.
“We have a lot of safety features in place with vests and stuff we wear. But it’s important to remember those who paid that price, and the threat is always there for all officers who continue to serve today,” Justice said.
“In Raleigh County, we’ve been fortunate, especially here in our department we don’t have a lot of serious crime that we deal with regularly,” the officer said.
