COVINGTON, Va. – People are still grieving the loss of a Covington police officer who died in the line of duty Monday afternoon.
Officer Caleb Ogilvie, 35, died while responding to the domestic shooting incident at Covington Farm & Fuel, according to Covington Police Chief Christopher Smith.
“Our hearts are broken,” Candi Long a Covington resident said.
Long is one of many residents who stopped by the Covington Police Department to pay respects to the fallen officer.
[Covington police officer killed in Monday’s shooting served as a Marine and Roanoke-area EMT]
“We love it here. There are good people, bad things happen to good people,” Long said.
Neighbors who live nearby where the shooting happened were shocked as well.
“I heard all kinds of gunshots I knew immediately they were all gunshots,” Melissa Unroe who lived nearby said.
Virginia State Police said the shooting happened around 4:30 at the Farm & Fuel, a gas station in Covington.
State police said the shooter, 42-year-old Toney Poulston got into a domestic situation with 64-year-old Randall Lee Paxton who worked at the store. Investigators said the domestic dispute escalated leading Poulston shooting Paxton.
“More police officers showed up, within five to 10 minutes of them showing up, I saw someone bust out one of the doors there coming out the store and he was shooting towards the cops,” Unroe said.
Investigators said gunfire was exchanged between first responders and Poulston, killing Ogilvie, who responded to the scene, as well as Poulston.
A pastor who has a church nearby says more love is needed during these trying times.
“Through prayer through comfort, I’m always willing to talk to anyone, who needs talking to,” Donald Earwood the Lone Star Baptist Church Pastor said.
Detectives said no one else was hurt during the shooting.