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Loudoun deputy undergoes multiple surgeries after Walmart shooting

Fellow police officers have set up a GoFundMe page for the lawman.

A GoFundMe page has been set up for Loudoun County Sheriff’s Deputy Camron Gentry. He’s the law officer who was severely injured in a shooting last Saturday at the Sterling Walmart store.

The Loudoun Dulles Fraternal Order of Police is organizing the fund drive on behalf of Gentry. They report that several bullets struck the deputy in both legs, in the hip and groin area, and that he suffered multiple shattered bones. Gentry has reportedly undergone several surgeries thus far, with more surgeries in his future, followed by a long and difficult recovery.

Dep. Camron Gentry, who was seriously injured in a shooting at the Sterling Walmart store.

The shooting happened late Saturday afternoon when Walmart security guards caught a suspect allegedly shoplifting. They took him into a back office and called the Sheriff’s Office. When Dep. Gentry and another deputy arrived, the suspect — Steven Thodos of Sterling — reportedly pulled a gun out of his waistband and opened fire. The two security guards were hit and received minor injuries. They were treated and released from the hospital. But Dep. Gentry was more seriously wounded. Thodos was shot by Gentry’s partner before fleeing and leading police officers from multiple agencies on a manhunt through Chantilly. He was captured Saturday night and is currently in the county jail. (For more details, see The Burn’s coverage here.)

If you would like to donate to help Dep. Gentry, the GoFundMe page can be found here.

 

4 Comments
  1. nicholas kniska 3 years ago

    Why is there a need for a go fund me?

    He was shot in the line of duty and he has health insurance and will be paid while on leave.

    Please investigate and report on this please

    • Michele 3 years ago

      Because he had a long recovery ahead of him and medical bills alone can be alot of money! Bless this officer for protecting the safety of the public. Has it occurred to you that perhaps he is the breadwinner? In the last year there has been no or little support for law enforcement. This brave officer deserves all the help he can get.

  2. Chris 3 years ago

    Thank you for reporting on this local frontline hero and providing a convenient link to the GoFundMe.

  3. Jim Anders 3 years ago

    Nicholas Kniska, Insurance doesn’t pay everything, not even workers compensation. And if he was working overtime just to pay bills, that income is gone. I don’t know the requirements of Loudoun County Sheriffs Dept workers comp. I do know as time passes, the commonwealth of VA worker comp does not pay you for 40 hours a week. After a certain period of time, they pay 32 hours a week, the employee has to use 8 hours of paid leave to have full income. To the best of my memory, the more time that passes, the less salary workers comp pays. I hope this has changed, it has been years ago that I had to use workers comp.

    Almost all police officers do their job to make their community, town, county or city a better place to live. When a “minor” crime like shoplifting occurs, often the suspect already has a criminal history. Often warrants have been issued for their arrest for other crimes. A Police Officer almost never knows an individuals past history, good or bad. That is why there are no “minor” crimes. The officer generally has no idea if the person they have contact with has no criminal history or is wanted for murder.

    This was a premeditated attack. It appears the suspect intended to murder Deputy Gentry. This young Deputy, and all of his co worker police officers everywhere, risk serious injury and death to protect everyone, including you, sir.

    If you are interested in why there is a go fund me page, I suggest you put your application in for position as Deputy or County Police Officer. You could learn a lot.

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