Griffith Statement on Justice for Fallen Big Stone Gap Officer

The murderer of Big Stone Gap police officer Michael Chandler has received a sentence of 100 years of active imprisonment related to Chandler’s November 2021 murder. In Wise County, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) joined Attorney General Jason Miyares and local officials for a press conference to welcome the verdict and pay homage to Officer Chandler. Representative Griffith issued the following statement:

“Southwest Virginia has tremendous respect and affinity for the dedication of our law enforcement officials and their families. The support expressed by the local community today is recognition of this fact.

“I joined the Big Stone Gap and Wise County communities to honor Officer Chandler’s service and thank the region’s dedicated law enforcement officials. While the verdict reached today does not bring Officer Chandler back, I hope it provides some sense of closure to his loved ones and community.”

BACKGROUND

Immediately following the murder, Representative Griffith honored Officer Chandler by requesting a flag be flown over the U.S. Capitol and publishing remarks in the Congressional Record. Those remarks can be reviewed here.