Christiansburg Police Chief Mark Sisson (far right) watches as officers lay a wreath between the new monuments at Christiansburg Downtown Park. The police department’s color guard stands to the rear of the special monuments.
May 9, 2003 started out as a typical spring day for Christiansburg Police Officer Scott Hylton. Little did he know, it wouldn’t end that way.
He was a 20-year veteran of law enforcement but had only been with the Christiansburg department for just over a year when he received a shoplifting call at a local convenience store. The suspect approached Hylton’s police car. The two struggled, and Hylton was shot and killed by his own gun. He left behind a wife and four children.
Hytlon was the second Christiansburg officer to die in the line of duty. Terry Lynn Griffith was also shot during an incident with a shoplifter. He died Sept. 18, 1994.
Family, friends, law enforcement members and Christiansburg leaders remembered the two on Wednesday. It was the 15th anniversary of Hylton’s death.
A downtown park adjacent to the Christiansburg National Guard Armory at 15 College St. was dedicated in their memory.
Police Chief Mark Sisson said this remembrance was long overdue. Shortly before he spoke, a wreath was laid in front of the monuments that recognized the two officers
“I stand before you in the middle of two heroes that gave their life for their community,” Sisson said.
Over three-dozen officers from area departments gathered with members of the Christiansburg Police Department.
“While yes, time has passed. The pain is still there, and we must remember there are still family members that need our support,” Sisson said as he thanked members of Hylton and Griffith’s family for being there.
“We are all family,” he said.
The Christiansburg Police Department paid for the monuments using money from the civil asset forfeiture fund (which is separate from the general fund).
The effort to dedicate the park was led by the Christiansburg Police Department and the Christiansburg Parks and Recreation Department but involved other town departments as well.
The town acquired the land where the monuments now stand from the Virginia Department of Military Affairs in September 2016 and then in 2017, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission voted unanimously to support the dedication and rename the park, “Downtown Park – Dedicated to Our Fallen Officers.”
The new park sign was built by Larry Nunley, a parks and recreation employee, and was installed by parks and recreation employees. Christiansburg’s Public Works Department landscaped the area, and Horne Funeral Home designed and placed the monuments.
Brad Epperley is the recreation department’s director and also spoke at the event.
“Each of these men were husbands, fathers, brothers and friends, and these two men chose the life of service and protection. This is why their ultimate sacrifice means so much,” he said.
Two monuments now stand at the entrance of the park to allow family members and complete strangers to offer a moment for the fallen officers.
Epperley looked out upon the crowd and said while we stand here today dedicating the park with overwhelming levels of gratitude for each officer, let us remember their purpose that was so much greater themselves.
“Let’s honor them not only by the words on the sign or monument but by living with a purpose much greater than ourselves. They would want it this way,” he concluded.
The park is open to the public 24 hours a day and includes a walking trail and playground.
