One of the photos Jason Walters submitted last week to Star City Whitetails, a website and Facebook page for hunters, is seen. Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources investigators later determined the buck, well known for being seen in Richmond’s historic Hollywood Cemetery, had been killed illegally and say charges are pending.
The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources identified a suspect in the killing of a famous Hollywood Cemetery white-tailed buck.
Department spokesperson Bob Smet told The Times-Dispatch on Tuesday that charges are pending against Jason Walters after investigators determined the buck’s shooting death violated state law.
Wildlife Service Maj. Ryan Shuler said Walters was identified after he posted photos of himself with the dead buck on a Facebook page and said he killed the animal in Prince Edward County with a muzzleloader.
Several people who saw the Dec. 14 post recognized the animal, a “nontypical 29-point buck,” as a frequent visitor of Hollywood Cemetery in the Oregon Hill neighborhood and reported the post to the DWR, Shuler said.
Shuler said investigators interviewed Walters and determined that the buck had been killed illegally. Charges against Walters currently are pending, Shuler said.
Walters could not immediately be reached for comment.
Smet declined to comment on the nature of the charges, but said that DWS investigations often focus on whether hunters are operating in unauthorized areas, using prohibited weapons or hunting at improper times.
“This was definitely a world-class buck,” Smet said. “(It) had a huge rack, a nontypical rack,” meaning the buck’s antlers were not symmetrical, as is typically the case.
He estimated the buck was somewhere between 8 and 9 years old.
Shuler said the buck was a regular visitor at Hollywood Cemetery, and “was recognizable due to his large, unusual antlers.”
“The illegal killing of the Hollywood Cemetery buck is a serious violation of Virginia’s wildlife laws and will be a priority for the Conservation Police Officers assigned to the investigation until all leads have been exhausted, all evidence has been collected, and those involved have been charged,” he said.
Four of Richmond’s policemen found the old horse watering fountain to their mounts’ liking in its new spot at the Chamberlayne-Leigh Street triangle. It was moved from Adams and Broad Streets when improvements were made to that corner, and was filled with water, finally, this week. The policemen: (left to right) H. E. Beasley, W. L. Frick, W. J. Simcoe and C. E. Minter.
08-15-1966 (cutline): Patrolman J. L. Carlton (left), W. L. Frick in Old Stable. City has had problems obtaining new quarters for mounted squad.
01-13-1965 (cutline): Police stable at Howitzers Armory, used since 1941, is to be vacated. City officials are seeking site and plan to construct new facility.
11-30-1967 (cutline): A police horse tied up to a signal light pole at 9th and Marshall Steets seems to be trying to decide whether to push the button and cross the street. He didnt, however, but waited until his master, Lt. H. D. Chadick, returned from duties at police headquarters across the street.
09-07-1979 (cutline): The life of a policeman’s horse is one of many temptations for Moose, ridden by Officer Ralph K. Ballowe. Moose is constantly under the eye of the law, but how is a horse expected to pass up a basketful of goodies such as those of the 17th Street Market? Sometimes the fruit sellers solve Moose’s problems by slipping him an apple or two.
02-18-1986 (cutline): Saddles and tack lay ready for the day to start.
12-04-1969 (cutline): Little girl pets Jasper, horse of Patrolman Jame L. Carlton.
09-28-1954 (cutline): A police department mount stands guard over (and in) a “no parking” zone outside the Hotel Richmond today, while officer in sight directed traffic at the entrance of Capitol Square. No tickets were in evidence when the picture was taken.
07-23-1977 (cutline): “Rusy,” the Bureau of Police’s prize horse, bites the ribbon to open the free parking stall in the First & Merchants Copr. Shockoe Parking Deck at 12th and Cary Streets. Police officer Hal Flood is helping Rusty cut the ribbon. The horse has been on the police force for more than six years and has worked with Flood for 2 1/2 years. His beat is the Shockoe Slip area, from Eighth to 14th Street and from the State Capitol to Canal. but he spends most of his time between 12th and 13th and Cary and Main Streets.
02-18-1986 (cutline): Diamond gets his trim before his day begins patroling the streets of Richmond.
01-17-1966 (cutline): Police Bureau’s Mounted Squad gathers on Grace Street during Inauguration Day. Mills Godwin was to become Virginia’s Governor.
Samuel B. Parker (804) 649-6544
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One of the photos Jason Walters submitted last week to Star City Whitetails, a website and Facebook page for hunters, is seen. Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources investigators later determined the buck, well known for being seen in Richmond’s historic Hollywood Cemetery, had been killed illegally and say charges are pending.
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