SGT. SHIFFLETT WOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN CHARGED IF TIMOTHY JOHNSON HAD BEEN WHITE

The unfair treatment of law enforcement: A call for justice

 

by Melissa Robey

 

Law Enforcement Today  

Feb 7, 2025

 

 

Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis (left) announces the termination of Sgt. Wesley Shifflett who shot Timothy Johnson (right) 

 

The time of prosecuting our police officers for political benefit needs to stop. It has happened time and time again, accelerating particularly since 2020. The narrative that police officers are the enemy has been carefully constructed and perpetuated by those who seek to dismantle law enforcement. We saw it unfold in the high-profile case of an officer who followed his training while attempting to apprehend a known criminal under the influence of fentanyl. The media and political elite crucified him without facts, manipulating public perception with biased storytelling rather than truth.  

When an officer does what he is trained to do and is prosecuted simply because he discharges his firearm in the course of duty, while the background of the suspect is conveniently ignored, we have reached a dangerous crossroads. Law enforcement is no longer evaluated by facts but by political optics. We have replaced common sense crime-fighting with the reckless pursuit of social justice narratives, where justice is applied selectively based on race, not the law.

This is not just a national crisis but a local one. Look no further than Virginia, where the Fairfax County Police Department has thrown its own officers under the bus. One glaring example is the case of Sergeant Wesley Shifflett, who is now facing up to four years in prison for "reckless handling of a firearm"—despite being found not guilty of manslaughter.

The Case of Sergeant Wesley Shifflett

On February 22, 2023, Sergeant Wesley Shifflett, a member of the Fairfax County Police Department’s specialized retail theft unit, pursued a known shoplifting suspect, Timothy Johnson, in Tyson’s Corner. Johnson, a violent criminal with a history of theft, triggered anti-theft alarms and fled police. Multiple officers engaged in the pursuit, which ended in an undeveloped area where Johnson tripped, rolled onto his knees, and reached into his waistband.

Believing Johnson was reaching for a firearm, Sergeant Shifflett, fearing for his life, fired two rounds. Tragically, Johnson succumbed to his injuries. Only later was it determined that Johnson was unarmed.

Rather than standing by their officer, Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis held a press conference announcing Shifflett’s termination. This decision violated Virginia Code § 9.1-502 and denied Shifflett the due process guaranteed under Cleveland Board of Education v. Loudermill. Not only was he terminated unjustly, but his body-worn camera footage was released to the public, fueling further public scrutiny before a thorough investigation was completed.

A grand jury initially declined to indict Sergeant Shifflett. However, Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney Steve Descano, a Soros-backed prosecutor with a clear political agenda, sought a second bite at the apple. He petitioned the court to impanel a special grand jury, which ultimately returned an indictment for involuntary manslaughter and felony reckless handling of a firearm. This maneuver, rarely used in Virginia, highlights how progressive prosecutors manipulate the legal system to target law enforcement officers.

At trial, every expert testified that Shifflett acted according to his training. Fairfax County’s own Police Academy reports confirmed that he followed department protocols. Yet, the jury, under immense social and political pressure, found him guilty of felony reckless handling of a firearm. This conviction was built on an unprecedented legal theory that, if allowed to stand, will set a dangerous precedent—officers can now be charged criminally for following the training their own departments provide.

The Consequences of Politicized Prosecutions

Sergeant Shifflett’s conviction sends a chilling message to law enforcement officers across the country: Even if you do your job correctly, you are not safe.

Where is the Chief of Police defending the training his own department provides? Where is the public outrage over the increasing reluctance of officers to engage in high-risk situations for fear of prosecution? Crime is skyrocketing, criminals act with impunity, and officers are left to fend for themselves, unsupported by both their leadership and the legal system.

This is not just about Sergeant Shifflett. This is about the future of law enforcement. The justice system is being weaponized against those who wear the badge, and the consequences are dire. Officers are now second-guessing whether to pursue suspects, respond to threats, or even remain in the profession at all. The result? Lawlessness and a society where criminals operate without fear.

A Call to Action: Demand a Pardon

It is time to take a stand. We must demand that our top legislators intervene and correct this injustice. Sergeant Shifflett must receive a pardon, not just for his sake, but to restore faith in the justice system and protect future officers from politically motivated prosecutions.

We call upon Governor Glenn Youngkin, Attorney General Jason Miyares, and our elected representatives to recognize this case for what it is—an attack on law enforcement. By pardoning Sergeant Shifflett, they can send a strong message that Virginia will not allow its police officers to be prosecuted for doing their jobs.

If we do nothing, this will not be the last case. Prosecutors like Descano will continue using their power to push ideological agendas, targeting those who put their lives on the line to keep us safe.

Enough is enough. It is time to put law enforcement back on track and restore common sense to our justice system. Stand up for Sergeant Shifflett. Stand up for our police. Stand up for law and order.