Gate City Police Department

10/13/2026

10-13-26 UPDATE

09/29/2026

A Black Bear and two cubs have been spotted in town the past couple of nights/days (9/27 AND 9/28/2026). DO NOT APPROACH AND USE CAUTION IF YOU SEE THEM!
🐻 Be Bear Aware, Gate City!
As we share our beautiful Southwest Virginia home with native wildlife, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) reminds residents that black bears are moving through residential areas in search of food.
In Virginia, it is strictly illegal to deliberately or inadvertently feed black bears. The state will not trap or relocate a bear simply for raiding trash—keeping our neighborhoods safe depends entirely on us removing what attracts them.
🚫 Remove the Bait: Secure Your Property
Bears have an incredible sense of smell and are driven entirely by their appetites. Protect your home by managing these common attractants:
• Garbage: Store your trash inside a secure building or use bear-resistant containers. If you use a collection service, put your bins out the morning of pickup, never the night before.
• Bird Feeders: Remove birdseed and feeders entirely if a bear has been spotted nearby.
• Pet Food: Feed your pets indoors or bring all leftover food and bowls inside immediately after they eat.
• Grills: Clean your outdoor grills thoroughly after every use to eliminate grease and food odors.
🌲 Know What to Do in an Encounter
If you come across a black bear, remember that they are generally shy and will avoid humans if they aren't provoked.
• From a distance: Enjoy watching them safely from afar. Make heavy noises, bang pots, or wave your arms to encourage them to leave your yard.
• Up close: Do NOT run. Running can trigger a bear's chase instinct. Face the bear, speak calmly so it recognizes you as human, and slowly back away to give it a clear escape route.
• Bears in trees: If a frightened bear climbs a tree, leave it alone, bring pets inside, and clear the area. It will come down and slip away quietly once it feels safe.

09/24/2026

Found Safe 9/24/26

09/14/2026

We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to Nickelsville Elementary School and Yuma Elementary School for their thoughtful generosity in providing snacks to our department in remembrance of September 11th. Your kindness and support are truly appreciated and serve as a meaningful reminder of the strength of community and public service. Thank you for thinking of us and for your continued partnership.

09/11/2026

Gate City Police Department is proud to recognize Sgt. Matt Quillen for successfully completing the Master Leader course taught by Dean Crisp.

This accomplishment marks the third and final course in the Significant Leader Series Trilogy, by LHLN, a highly respected leadership development program designed to inspire excellence in law enforcement leadership.

09/11/2026

🇺🇸 25 Years. We Will Never Forget 🇺🇸

Twenty-five years ago today, our nation changed forever.

On September 11, 2001, nearly 3,000 lives were taken in acts of terrorism at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and aboard Flight 93. In the midst of unimaginable tragedy, we also witnessed extraordinary courage—first responders running toward danger, ordinary citizens helping strangers, and Americans standing together when our nation needed unity most.

Today, the officers of the Gate City Police Department pause to remember those who never made it home, the first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice, and the families who have carried their loss for the past 25 years.

There is now an entire generation that knows September 11 only through the stories we tell them. It is our responsibility to make sure September 11 never becomes just another date in a history book.

Remember the lives.
Remember the courage.
Remember the sacrifice.
Remember the unity.

25 years later, we remember. We honor. We will never forget. 🇺🇸

08/16/2026

We would like to remind everyone to be safe as school starts back. Leave early and allow time to get to work or school, watch for children waiting on buses, be observant at school zones, and watch for children at school crossings. We wish each student and school employees a safe and wonderful school year! Please drive safe.

07/24/2026

Chief Sivert would like to give a shout out to Officer Meade and Officer McKinney!! Officer Meade and Officer McKinney saw this elder gentleman almost fall several times while trying to weed-eat this bank in his yard. Officer Meade went and helped this man finish mowing the bank, while Officer McKinney kept a watch and answered any calls that came across the radio. I’m proud of you both!

07/20/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Gate City Police Department Seizes Approximately 334 Grams of Suspected Methamphetamine, Pills, and Over $5,400 in U.S. Currency

Gate City, VA – July 20, 2026 – On the evening of July 19, 2026, Officer Meade and Officer McKinney of the Gate City Police Department observed a white SUV driving erratic when Officer Meade initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle after observing indicators that the driver may have been impaired.
During the investigation, Officer Meade conducted Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. While the investigation was ongoing, Deputy Nash of the Scott County Sheriff's Office deployed K-9 Odin to conduct a free-air sniff around the exterior of the vehicle. K-9 Odin gave a positive alert to the presence of narcotics.
Based on the alert, Officer McKinney and Deputy Nash conducted a search of the vehicle. During the search, officers located a bag containing a crystal-like substance consistent with suspected methamphetamine, along with $5,457 in U.S. currency. A subsequent search of the driver resulted in the discovery of a significantly larger quantity of suspected methamphetamine concealed on her person.
In total, officers seized approximately 334 grams of suspected methamphetamine, numerous prescription narcotics, and $5,457 in U.S. currency.
The suspect was identified as 29-year-old Tia Johnson of Gate City, Virginia, who was taken into custody without incident.
Johnson has been charged with the following offenses:
• § 18.2-248.03 – Possession with Intent to Distribute More Than 227 Grams of a Schedule I or II Controlled Substance
• § 18.2-248.01 – Transporting More Than One Ounce of a Schedule I or II Controlled Substance into the Commonwealth of Virginia with Intent to Distribute
• Possession with Intent to Distribute a Schedule I or II Controlled Substance (More Than 100 Grams)
• Possession with Intent to Distribute a Schedule V Controlled Substance
The Gate City Police Department remains committed to aggressively combating the distribution of illegal narcotics in our community. Removing dangerous drugs from our streets helps protect the safety and well-being of our citizens.
The Gate City Police Department would like to extend its sincere appreciation to the Scott County Sheriff's Office, especially Deputy Nash and K-9 Odin, for their assistance and teamwork throughout this investigation.

07/04/2026