By Allan Bishop
On March 31, 2016, Virginia State Trooper Chad Dermyer, during a training exercise, was needlessly murdered. Chad was shot to death in the Richmond VA, Greyhound Bus terminal by a previously convicted felon!
As a result, the Board of Directors of VaHDA decided to present an opportunity to the membership and hunting community at large. It was decided that we would have a “benefit hunt”, as well as a BBQ/Auction event.
On June 17th, the hunters started to show up at Joe Lewis’ Fox Preserve in Lawrenceville Va, to register their dogs for the field trial. Joe had graciously donated his facility at which the trial was held. Everyone was preparing their hounds for the coming event and the Bench Show, which was held Friday night. As a result, Josh Mull of Hurricane Kennels won BIS & BOS with two fine young hounds! Congratulations, Josh.
On Saturday morning June 18th, roll call was held, and there were 146 dogs entered in the hunt. We cast the hounds, and shortly thereafter, the “music” began. I might add that entries to this hunt represented the fox hunting community, but was well represented by the deer hunting community too. This is just an indication how the “hunting community” comes together to support each other whenever needed!
After the scores were tallied, it was then time to present the awards! All the awards, and some fine ones they were, were donated by many folks throughout the state of Virginia, but from other states as well! Hunters were impressed, as there was a “Garmin Alpha Combo” for first place, a 45 quart “Yeti” for 2nd, a 35 quart “Yeti” for 3rd, 4th received a Garmin “T-15”, and 5th got a Garmin “T-5”! Each of the “top 5” also received 100 lbs. of dog food. 6th-10th received 100 lbs. of dog food as well, and 11th-20th got 50 lbs. of dog food! There was also a complete set of trophies awarded, and special trophies they were, since each had the Virginia State Police “logo”, and a crest with Trooper Dermyer’s badge and badge number prominently displayed.
Prior to the awards, a few guests were recognized and spoke. John Morse, President of the Virginia Hunting Dog Alliance, thanked all the participants and the hard work of those putting this event together. Mr. H.S. Caudill, a Board member of the Virginia DGIF, also a retired Sheriff, was there and made emotional comments of how wonderful and impressive it was that the “hunting community” would come together to aid the “Boys of Blue”! Sergeant Chris Murphy (Chad’s superior), spoke on behalf of the family, thanked everyone, and made an emotional comment about the fact Chad’s death, though unfortunate, was not in vain, and in fact potentially saved lives of others, as the killer had weapons and more than 140 rounds of ammo in his possession. And the shooter was killed by the Virginia State Police, thus eliminating the opportunity for more deaths to occur.
As the awards were presented, Woody Daniel of Sturgeon Creek Kennels was declared the winner and awarded the first place trophy, as well as the Garmin Alpha combo! Congratulations to Woody, and to each and all that placed! But know that in the end result, each person that participated in this event is truly a WINNER! Thanks for your participation.
In closing, I would like to take a moment and recognize the major contributors and sponsors of this fantastic “fund raiser”! Outdoor Dog Supply, Mike Carr with Pride Dog Food, Boydton Farm Supply and Plantation Dog Food, Memory Makers Trophy’s in South Hill Va. (the awesome trophies), and the numerous chapters of the Virginia Hunting Dog Alliance for the various donations made!
Thanks go to Lewis Callahan for being “Master of Hounds” and Bench Show Judge too. And also thanks for Lewis’ help; without it, I could not have gotten everything done. There were 16 hard working judges that put forth their best efforts, as well as Jeremy Bond, our computer operator! My personal “Thank You” to each and every one of these folks for their efforts!
The BBQ/Auction event took place later in the day, in a beautiful facility built by Reedy Creek Hunt Club. And thanks go out to Scott Powell and his members, as this would not have been possible without their help and dedication! The auction was a resounding success, the BBQ meal was fantastic!
As a result of the efforts put forth by everyone involved, I am proud to say that at least $20,000 (some donations still arriving at the bank) was raised for the Dermyer family. The funds will be presented to the Virginia State Police Association, and as an associate sponsor, will give all the proceeds to the Dermyer family!
Again, heartfelt thanks to each and every person that had any involvement in this great event!
The results of the hunt are posted below.
RESULTS:
1st: Sturgeon Creek Lilly…ch. Triple Bridge Tiny Mite x ch. Circle D Tiny Dancer
(Sturgeon Creek Kennels)
2nd: Hike to Em’s Trigger…ch. Southern Rock Nitro x Hike to Em’s Half Pint
(Hike To Em Kennels)
3rd: Huckstep’s J Rock……Huckstep’s Big Boy x Byrum’s Harley
(Huckstep Kennel)
4th: Nuchols Paris……….ch. Nuchols Miller x Cry’n Fox Big Mama
(Carlton & Shawn Nuchols)
5th: S&B Jewell B………..T&W’s Patches x Webb’s Jewells
The Kliq (Brett Argabright)
6th: Double Barrel Bowser…Fire Breathing Batman x Dirt Road Classy
(Double Barrel Kennels)
7th: Huckstep’s Dot………Huckstep’s Big Boy x Byrum’s Harley
(Huckstep Kennels)
8th: Southern Style Stilts.. breeding not given
(Southern Style Kennels)
9th: How We Roll Emma…….GGK’s Wasted x Pates Buttercup
(How We Roll Kennels)
10th: Double Barrel Nolan….Old Church Gator B x Stella’s Hamburger
(Double Barrel Kennels)
11th: LBK’s Slim Jim………Longbranch Kennels
12th: Doc Purdy S.O.B……..Doc Purdy Kennels
13th: Farmer’s Kate……….Roy Farmer
14th: Pillow’s Wallon……..Falling Creek & Spider Creek Kennels
15th: Farmer’s Ruby……….Roy Farmer
16th: Farmer’s Shooter…….Roy Farmer
17th: Willow……………..Turn Em Loose Kennels
18th: Lynch’s Reba………..Bring the Noise Kennels
19th: Southern Style Cool Whip..Southern Style Kennels
20th: Ricky’s Black Ice……Southern Style Kennels
Congratulations to each of you that placed!