Vinton Town Council recognizes heroic actions of police officers

By Debbie Adams

Vinton Town Council members recognized the heroic actions of two of its police officers at their
council meeting on Sept. 17.

According to Vinton Police Chief Fabricio Drumond, Officers Jesse Dibble and Grant Shepherd
were dispatched to a scream for help call. Dispatch was unable to give any context to responding
officers because of a frantic caller. Initial information was that there was “lots of screaming in
the background,” calls for help, and the potential that someone was either bleeding or not
breathing. Eventually enough information was gathered to understand that an infant was
unresponsive and not breathing. The call came in at 12:21. Officer Dibble arrived on the scene at
12:23; Shepherd, soon after.

Upon arrival, the officers were met by a family in distress. Despite the chaos, the officers were
immediate with their priorities and acted on the problem at hand, an 18-month-old not breathing.
Dibble was handed the child by a family member and administered life-saving procedures
immediately. Shepherd aided Dibble by holding the child in a more advantageous position. As a
result, the infant regained consciousness and began breathing on her own.

“Throughout an officer’s career, they will be called upon many times as a result of life-changing
scenarios,” Drumond said. “They are expected to maintain composure, remain calm, and deal
with the situation they are presented with tact, humility, and more importantly, resolve the
problem to the best of their ability. In this case, their actions completely reshaped the result of
that call.

“The actions illustrated by these officers are beyond exemplary. Officer Dibble and Officer
Shepherd exhibited the highest standard of excellence and compassion and treated a child as if it
was their own. People like them make the world a better and safer place, through their
unwavering devotion to our community, our citizens, and our children.”

They were presented with the Lifesaving Award.

Deputy Chief Tim Lawless introduced the newest member of the Vinton Police Department –
Officer Jake Miller. He is a graduate of Glenvar High School. He served in the United States Air
Force from 2004-2008 and then moved back home. Miller worked at the Salem Police
Department for 12-1/2 years in various positions – patrol officer, detective, detective supervisor,
and services supervisor. He earned his master’s degree from Liberty University, and graduated
from the Virginia Department of Forensic Science Academy and the National Criminal Justice
Command College.

He and his wife Ashley have two daughters, Claire, 10, and Campbell, 7. They enjoy outdoor
activities. Miller says that the most important thing in his life is “being a dad.” He was pinned by
his daughters.

Chief Drumond also recognized Officer Will Holland for earning his Crime Prevention Specialist
Certification, a designation recognized by the Department of Criminal Justice Services. He
completed 40 hours of training (theory and practice of crime prevention, personal safety, crime
prevention through environmental design, and conducting security assessments) and 80
additional hours in community policing, school safety and security, youth and family violence,
public speaking, and drug abuse prevention.

Officer Holland said, “When local businesses, citizens, community groups, and government
agencies engage with each other, we develop a positive lasting relationship and become active
partners in safeguarding our neighborhoods. This teamwork creates a network of well-educated
and vigilant eyes and ears that can only enhance the effectiveness of curbing crimes.”

Town Council presented a proclamation declaring September 17-23 as Constitution Week to
Shannon and Sheila Campbell from the Roanoke Valley Chapter DAR.

Planning and Zoning Director Anita McMillan recognized Assistant Planner Fayula Gordon for
completing the six-month Virginia Chapter of the American Planning Association Leadership
Development Program, sponsored by the Virginia Chapter of the American Planning
Association.

Program participants engage in intensive conversations with instructors during three-hour
monthly meetings in Richmond, and complete outside assignments shadowing and interviewing
a leader they admire.

Andrew Hopewell, Virginia Chapter president, noted that Gordon’s “commitment and dedication
to the class was admirable and speaks to her desire to improve her skill set and offer citizens of
Vinton the utmost service. She represented herself and the Town of Vinton in a manner of which
they should be proud.”

McMillan also acknowledged Roanoke County’s Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) 2024
Achievement Award for the Town of Vinton Stormwater Outfall Management Application
Program. The application was built by Roanoke County’s Information Technology GIS Team in
collaboration with town personnel.

During the Citizens’ Comment part of the meeting, several citizens spoke against the rumored
abortion clinic coming to Vinton – Phil Buchy, Barry Witt, Ann Russell, and Carmel Flippen.

Public Works Director Bo Herndon updated council on several projects, including sign
replacement throughout the town, installation of traffic signal lights, and paving. He noted that
the WVWA sewer line replacement on Niagara Road is 20% complete, with 60 feet of pipe and
two manholes installed. The project is complicated by the depth of the repairs (30 feet). He
discussed working with VDOT on a plan to rebuild 3rd Street. His best news was that the new
refuse truck is in Roanoke and will be delivered to Vinton next week.

Finance Director Andrew Keen presented the latest financial report, commenting that sales,
meals, and pari-mutuel taxes are exceeding budget expectations for the fiscal year thus far. The
opening of two new food service establishments, Marco’s Pizza and Panda Bobo, will only
increase those revenues. He reported the town is earning $50,000 a month from interest on the
CIP fund. He also informed council that a grant has been received for $42,000 toward the
cargo/personnel lift project at the Vinton History Museum. Current fundraising by the Vinton
Historical Society and the grant will put contributions at over $100,000.

Council held a public hearing, then adopted an amendment to Vinton’s FY 2024-2025 budget
which will appropriate funding for various operational and capital expenditures. According to
Deputy Town Manager Cody Sexton, this is customary at the end of each fiscal year. Funds
totaling $462,000 will be used for police equipment, the Wolf Creek restroom facilities, and the
multi-generational park to be located on a site behind the Vinton War Memorial. This is “old
money” being rolled over to the new fiscal year.

Council adopted a resolution accepting the Virginia Department of Conservation and
Recreation’s Recreational Trails Program funds in the amount of $177,217 and appropriating
$44,304 in town funds (a 20% match) for the Wolf Creek Greenway Accessible Restroom
Facility, a project to be completed in Spring 2025.

Council voted to enter a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Roanoke County for the
county to serve as the Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Management Program Authority for the
town, an arrangement which has been in place since 1984.

Town Manager Pete Peters thanked town staff for a successful Pink Warrior Walk to raise
money for breast cancer treatment and research, which attracted 207 participants and raised
$7,000 in its first year. He especially thanked Town Clerk/Administrative Manager Antonia
Arias-Magallon and council members Laurie Mullins and Sabrina McCarty for their part in
organizing the event.