The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) Conservation Police Officers’ (CPO) recent incident reports included items of local interest.
On August 3, Virginia Conservation Police Dispatch received a report of a lost hiker at Hughlett Point Natural Area in Northumberland County. CPO Sgt. Andrew Jones responded to the scene and began searching for the individual. DWR Dispatch had pinged the individual’s location using software available to DWR communications officers.
As Sgt. Jones made his way to the last known location of the missing person, First Sgt. Tyler Bumgarner arrived on scene along with members of the Northumberland County Sheriff’s Office to assist with the search. Within 30 minutes, Sgt. Jones located the missing subject in a stand of very thick phragmites, after having wandered off the trail in search of missing dogs. The officers then ensured that the subject was returned safely to their vehicle and had them checked out by emergency services personnel.
This is a testament to the advanced technology available to DWR communication officers and the coordination with on-scene CPOs, who responded quickly and located the individual without further injury.
On August 9, CPO First Class Tyler Dagliano, along with Sgt. Roy Morris and Sgt. Jones, conducted an evening boat patrol on the Rappahannock River near Tappahannock. The CPOs observed a vessel underway with two persons illegally riding on the gunwale and conducted a vessel stop.
Upon speaking with the operator, CPO Dagliano noticed signs of impairment and offered the operator field sobriety tests. The operator performed poorly and was placed under arrest for boating under the influence, then transported to the Essex County Sheriff’s Office (ECSO) where a final BAC of .18 g/210L was observed.
On August 16, CPO Dagliano and CPO David Townsend were again on an evening boat patrol on the Rappahannock River near Tappahannock. The officers observed a vessel underway not displaying a registration decal and conducted a vessel stop.
Upon contacting the operator, CPO Townsend noticed signs of impairment and offered field sobriety tests. The operator performed poorly and was placed under arrest for boating under the influence, then transported to the ECSO where a final BAC of .08 g/210L was observed.
After processing the arrest, the CPOs returned to patrol on the river. At approximately 10:30 p.m., the officers observed a group of anglers near the Downing Bridge. As the officers approached, they observed the group of anglers began maneuvering their vessel around the bridge. The CPOs contacted the anglers to conduct a license and creel inspection.
Upon contacting the operator of the fishing vessel, CPO Townsend noticed signs of impairment, then offered the operator field sobriety tests. The operator performed poorly and was placed under arrest for boating under the influence, then transported to the ECSO. He refused to provide a breath sample as required by law and was charged.
These reports initially appeared in the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, Notes From the Field (August 29, 2025). Copyright © 2025 Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, all rights reserved.
