RICHMOND – The men and women of the Virginia State Police and their families will gather in Richmond on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, to honor all public safety professionals who have given the ultimate sacrifice in service to the safety of the Commonwealth of Virginia.   Governor Glenn Youngkin will be the ceremony’s keynote speaker.

Wednesday’s service will recognize all 67 of the Department’s law enforcement professionals who have died in the line of duty, to include a special tribute to the following sworn members in which 2025 marks a significant milestone:

Inspector Thomas A. Belt, 95 Years                                           Trooper Donald E. Lovelace, 55 Years

Trooper William R. Thompson, 90 Years                                 Investigator Claude E. Seymour, 50 Years

Trooper George F. Miller, 80 Years                                           Trooper Leo Whitt, 40 Years

Trooper William T. Flippen Jr., 80 Years                                  Trooper Henry N. Harmon, 30 Years

Trooper Joseph B. Thomas, 75 Years                                        Trooper Mark D. Barrett, 15 Years

Trooper Robert E. Porter, 75 Years                                           Trooper Nathan-Michael W. Smith, 10 Years

Trooper Jackie M. Bussard, 55 Years

Each tribute includes a single bell toll and an Honor Guard salute. Additional information on those being honored is available at https://vsp.virginia.gov/about-us/woodson-gallery.

Virginia State Police 2025 Police Officers’ Memorial Service – Media are Invited to Attend

Date: Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Time: 10:30 a.m.

Location: Virginia State Police Gymnasium, 7700 Midlothian Turnpike, North Chesterfield, Va.

West Virginia head coach Ross Hodge has goals for his first season in Morgantown.

Hodge appeared on Jon Rothstein’s podcast and was asked what he hopes to accomplish in his first year leading the Mountaineers basketball program.

“I obviously want to get back to the NCAA tournament, you know, one. I mean, that’s the ultimate goal. I mean, the ultimate goal would be, you know, to win a national championship,” he said. “I think that’s what everybody wants to do. And obviously, it’s not easy to do, but that’s what we want to do here.”

The Mountaineers narrowly missed the field last season at 19-13, being the first team left out but then the program endured its fourth coaching change since June of 2023. That meant Hodge inherited a program that needed to be completely rebuilt with no returning players or coaches from a season ago.

But in order to potentially make the NCAA Tournament, the focus will be on putting together a team that’s not only connected and tough but plays for each other.

Hodge has been doing just that with 10 roster additions to date with eight of those coming from the transfer portal, as he looks to jumpstart what his team can do in year one.

“In this time period it does give you the opportunity to put a roster together quicker than you would if the portal wasn’t a thing,” he said. “And kind of shape a roster that you believe in. And I feel good about what we’ve been able to get so far and just got to finish it strong here.”

Those players will start arriving on campus soon to start that process and Hodge is excited for the challenge.

“And the journey begins,” he said.