On the morning of July 21st, 2023, at 7:49 a.m., an alarming call was made to the Fredericksburg Police E-911 Center. A man, later identified as 34-year-old Taylor Lee Drew, was reported to be threatening multiple individuals with a knife and assaulting an elderly man on the 1600 block of Sunken Road.
Upon arrival, the first responding officer identified Drew and commanded him to drop the weapon. Drew, however, lunged at the officer with the knife, prompting the officer to defend himself by firing his weapon. Backup officers soon reached the scene, administering first-aid to Drew before medics took over. Sadly, Drew’s injuries proved fatal, and he was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Ensuring transparency and proper procedure, Chief Layton of the Fredericksburg Police asked the Virginia State Police (VSP) to carry out the criminal investigation. After a meticulous examination, the VSP handed their findings to Fredericksburg Commonwealth Attorney Elizabeth Humphries. Her conclusion? The officer, identified as Gregory Baugher, acted in compliance with Virginia Code Section 19.2-83.5 and won’t face any criminal charges.
Furthermore, an internal review by the Department’s Office of Professional Standards found that Officer Baugher’s actions were in line with the department’s directives. Officer Baugher, a member of the Fredericksburg Police Department since 2019, has resumed his duties in the patrol division.
Chief Layton expressed his appreciation to both the Virginia State Police and Commonwealth Attorney Humphries for their thorough work in the investigation. The Fredericksburg Police Department continues to uphold its commitment to excellence, as evidenced by its national accreditation since 2009.