Got a press release from the PD today:

Saturday, July 24, 2010 marks the 22nd anniversary of the murder of Manassas City Police Sergeant John David Conner, III.

Colonel Douglas W. Keen, Chief of Police along with the Manassas City Police Honor Guard will place a wreath at Sergeant Connor’s gravesite commemorating the life, career and ultimate sacrifice of Sergeant Conner. The service will be at the Quantico National Cemetery at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 22, 2010.  Sergeant Conner was on duty that Sunday evening in 1988 when he responded to a call of shots fired on Laurelwood Court.  Upon arrival to the rear of the townhomes, Sergeant Conner confronted a man armed with a semi-automatic rifle. Sergeant Conner repeatedly ordered the man to drop his weapon. Roy Bruce Smith opened fire, striking Sergeant Conner numerous times.  Other officers apprehended Smith a few minutes later to the rear of his town house. Sergeant Conner was rushed by ambulance to Prince William Hospital. He was later flown to Fairfax Hospital by helicopter, where he died.

Smith was tried and convicted of Capital Murder and was sentenced to death. Smith was put to death by lethal injection in 1998.

Persons wishing to attend the service are asked to arrive at Quantico National Cemetery by 9:45 a.m.

I remember that day pretty well.  I was, with everyone else, shocked that such a thing could happen in our little City.  The Police Department honors Sergeant Conner’s memory by conducting a fund-raising 5k every year that goes to fund scholarships.  Thanks Cindy for linkage to that.

God bless Sergeant Conner and his family.