Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, January 26, 1993 TAG: 9301260089
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By KATHY LOAN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: FLOYD LENGTH: Medium
INVESTIGATION CONTINUES IN SHOOTING OF PRISONER
Authorities in Floyd County and Radford expect to complete their investigation this week into the shooting of a prisoner by a Floyd County deputy at Radford Community Hospital last week.Roger Lee Dodson, 41, was taken to the hospital early Friday after complaining of medical problems while being held at the Floyd County Jail.
State police had arrested him Wednesday at a Roanoke motel. Dodson was considered a fugitive, wanted since 1989 in Floyd County on charges of sodomy, aggravated sexual battery and grand larceny.
Deputy Steve Tolbert shot Dodson after he began a struggle at the door of a secured hospital room.
Dodson had asked for assistance from Tolbert and the officer opened the door to Dodson's room. Dodson made a lunge at the door and Tolbert tried to relock it, according to a news release last week.
Tolbert, 47, has worked at the sheriff's office since 1985. He is 5-foot-11 and weighs 170 pounds. Dodson is 6-foot-4 and weighs 315 pounds, Sheriff Tom Higgins said Monday.
Dodson continued to try to open the door and leave the room. Tolbert retreated, drew his weapon and repeatedly ordered Dodson to stop. Dodson continued to advance toward the officer, authorities said last week, and was shot in the left chest and shoulder area.
Dodson is still in the hospital, but not because of his gunshot wound, the sheriff said. Instead, doctors are planning to do a catheterization this week in connection with Dodson's complaints of a heart condition.
The sheriff expects to have him back in the Floyd County Jail later this week.
Gino Williams, Floyd County's commonwealth's attorney, said he expects to release more information about the shooting and the investigation today.
He said last week that preliminary reports indicated that no excessive force was used by the officer.
Dodson, also known as Roger Lee Barnette, is formerly of Floyd County but now gives a Pembroke address in Giles County, authorities said.