Some good news to report this winter morning — Deputy First Class Cameron Gentry is back on the job with the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office. The milestone comes more than two years after Gentry was shot multiple times at the Walmart store in Sterling.
We’re told Gentry is still recovering from his injuries, but he is back on the job and assigned to the Sheriff’s Office training division.
“This is an incredible story of survival and bravery,” the Sheriff’s Office posted to social media this morning. “The LCSO is proud to witness DFC Gentry return to work and to support him through his recovery process. DFC. Gentry continues to exhibit the same bravery in his recovery as he did the night he was seriously injured.”
It was back on January 2, 2021 when Deputy Gentry and another officer were called to the Walmart store at the Dulles Crossing Plaza off Atlantic Boulevard. (See The Burn’s coverage of the incident here.)
Steven Thodos of Sterling was initially confronted by two civilian loss prevention officers at the Walmart, who reported that had observed him stealing items from the store.
As the two deputies responded to take the Thodos into custody, he began to struggle with them and pulled out a firearm. Thodos then reporteldy fired several rounds striking Deputy Gentry and two store employees as well.
Thodos then led police on a high-speed chase down State Road 28 and into Fairfax County before being arrested. He was convicted of multiple charges including attempted first-degree murder. He is scheduled to be sentenced in March.
Fortunately, the injured Walmart employees had only minor injuries, but Gentry was shot several times in the attack. He ultimately spent 43 days in the hospital and required multiple surgeries.
Now, The Burn is happy to help share the news that Gentry is back to work with the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office. We wish him well on his continued recovery.