Spotsylvania Sheriff's OFFICE

Detective Richard Samuels suffered a fatal heart attack during a foot pursuit of an escapee. Detective Samuels was in the courthouse waiting to testify in a trial when a prisoner broke free of other deputies and fled the courthouse. Detective Samuels, who observed the incident, chased the prisoner toward a neighboring elementary school but suffered a fatal heart attack during the pursuit. ​​​​Other deputies apprehended the suspect inside of the school. Detective Samuels was survived by his wife, son and daughter. 

Deputy Dean Ridings was killed in a boating accident while conducting marine patrol on Lake Anna with another deputy. The boat encountered a large wake, causing it to turn sideways. Deputy Ridings struck his head on the boat and his partner was thrown overboard. Other boaters assisted his partner out of the water and back onto the patrol boat, which he immediately returned to shore. Both deputies were transported to Mary Washington Hospital, where Deputy Ridings succumbed to his injuries. Deputy Ridings had served with the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office for six years and had previously served with the United States Marine Corps. He is survived by his wife, two sons, and three grandchildren. Both of his sons also serve as deputies with the agency.

Deputy Bryan Berger suffered a fatal heart attack while participating in physical training at the Rappahannock Regional Criminal Justice Academy in Fredericksburg, Virginia. He was warming up for officer survival skills when he began to feel ill. An ambulance had been called to the academy but he suddenly collapsed as it arrived at the scene. He was transported to a local hospital but doctors were unable to revive him. Deputy Berger had been sworn as a deputy for seven months, and had previously served as a dispatcher for the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office for two years. He is survived by his wife and parents.