Sergeant James Leroy Biggs

James Leroy Biggs

Trooper James Biggs was shot and killed during a traffic stop at the I-64 rest stop in Alleghany County, two miles from the West Virginia line, around 2:30 p.m.

When Trooper Biggs approached the driver's side of the car, the driver fired two shots. After striking Trooper Biggs twice, the driver sped away into West Virginia.

When a West Virginia Trooper attempted to stop the stolen vehicle, a shootout ensued, wounding the passenger. The driver fled into the woods when he crashed into another car, leaving his passenger to be transported to the hospital. The suspect was apprehended the next morning. He was a prison escapee and was convicted of capital murder. His death sentence was vacated, and he was sentenced to life in prison. The passenger, paralyzed from the chest down, was acquitted of first-degree murder.

Trooper Biggs was a United States Navy and National Guard veteran and had served with the Virginia State Police for 18 years. He was survived by his wife.

In May 2004, the Virginia legislature voted to have two bridges on I-64 named in memory of Trooper Biggs.