“Edward Bell was executed tonight for the 1999 murder of Winchester Police Sgt. Ricky Timbrook. On the evening of October 29, 1999, Bell, a drug-dealer, shot and killed Sgt. Timbrook during a police pursuit. Timbrook’s murder left his family, including his wife who was pregnant with their first child, devastated.

The jury’s verdict of guilt, and sentence of death, have been reviewed and upheld by the trial court, the Supreme Court of Virginia, the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and the Supreme Court of the United States. The courts have affirmed Bell’s guilt and sentence of death which were imposed by the jury for this senseless murder.

Governor Kaine has declined to intervene. Tonight justice has been served. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Sgt. Timbrook, a brave law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty.”