WYTHE COUNTY, Va – Karla Turman will never forget the day she learned of her father’s death.
“It was not easy to process. Unfortunately, I did know that when State troopers appear at your door and want to talk to you, it’s not good news,” Turman said.
Turman’s father, Cliff Dicker, was a deputy for the Wythe County Sheriff’s office in 1994 when he was shot and killed by Christopher Shawn Wheeler.
At the time, Wheeler was 15 but was tried as an adult. Now, he is being held at Green Rock Correctional Facility and is set to be released next week.
“This week has been rough. It’s been a little rough. I’ve tried to focus on dad’s life, not on his death,” Turman said.
Wheeler was sentenced to 43 years, but due to former state guidelines, he has served enough time to be eligible for probation.
“We’ve been preparing for that, the victim services with the Department of Corrections they keep in touch with us trying to prepare us for him being released,” Turman said.
Turman spent the better part of the last 26 years fighting to keep Wheeler behind bars and advocate for victims’ families in similar circumstances—all to honor her late father.
“You know we keep him alive through memories and pictures,” Turman said.
And just days before deputy cliff dicker’s killer is set to be released, Turman wanted to share a message with the man who killed her father.
“I truly hope that he changes, or he has changed, and that he is able to be a good citizen and doesn’t go back to prison. That really is my hope and my prayer for him,” Turman said.
Wheeler is set to be released from Green Rock Correctional Facility on Aug. 27.