Just after midnight on Monday morning in Pittsylvania County, a routine traffic stop turned into a chaotic life‑and‑death struggle that left a suspect dead and a Virginia State Police trooper wounded. The incident has rattled local law enforcement and deeply moved the community.
Around 12:31 a.m., a Virginia State Police trooper spotted a car traveling north on Route 29 that had already been flagged by the Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office in a “Be On the Lookout” alert. The vehicle — a 2018 Ford Fusion — had escaped an earlier pursuit with sheriff’s deputies.
When the trooper tried to stop the Fusion, the driver didn’t slow down. Instead, he sped away, prompting another chase through the quiet roads of Pittsylvania. The trooper used a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) on Deerview Road in a brave attempt to safely end the pursuit.
That’s when everything turned frighteningly real. As the car finally came to a halt, the driver drew a rifle from inside the vehicle and fired at the trooper. The officer, trained for moments like this but never hoping to face them, returned fire.
The suspect — later identified as 25‑year‑old Jacob Wesley Adkins of Hurt, Virginia — was hit and pronounced dead at the scene. The trooper also sustained a non‑life‑threatening gunshot wound. With help from the Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office, he was quickly taken to Centra Gretna Medical Center for treatment.
In a wave of relief and gratitude, officials confirmed the trooper has since been released and is recovering at home with family and loved ones. Friends, neighbors, and even strangers have been keeping him in their thoughts, thankful that he will heal and return to his life and duties.
The Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation is now handling a thorough review of the incident. When complete, their findings will be turned over to the Pittsylvania County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office for further assessment.
This dramatic early‑morning event is a stark reminder of the dangers law enforcement officers face every time they head out on patrol. It’s also a moment of reflection for the Pittsylvania community — a place now forever marked by bravery, fear, and hope in the midst of danger.
