Grayson deputy sheriff shot while answering call

A Grayson County deputy sheriff was injured Tuesday night after he was shot while answering a domestic dispute call.
Sheriff Richard Vaughan said Deputies Doug Waller and Kevin Watson answered the call at 10:43 p.m. to a home at 3016 Skyline Highway about six miles south of Galax.
Vaughan said when Waller approached the front door of the home, he was shot in the lower abdomen. Watson returned fire as the two deputies took cover behind a vehicle in the driveway.
About two minutes later, two subjects came out of the house and surrendered.
Vaughan said Waller's bullet proof vest turned the bullet down into his pelvis region. He was taken to Twin County Regional Hospital in Galax where he was stabilized and transported by a medical transport helicopter to Wake Forest University Medical Hospital in Winston-Salem, N.C. Waller underwent emergency surgery for nearly four hours, and is expected to make a full recovery.
Vaughan said the weapon used in the shooting was allegedly a .357 magnum.
Gary Frank Wheatley, 44, of Galax was charged with two counts of attempted capital murder, and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
A second suspect, Crystal Gooslin, 47, of Galax, was charged with possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.
Wheatley is being held at the New River Valley Regional Jail in Dublin without bond.
Vaughan said he was pleased with the cooperation from members of the Galax Police Department, Carroll County Sheriff's Department and Virginia State Police, who rushed to the scene after hearing the officer needs assistance call.

Larry Chambers

A Grayson County deputy sheriff was shot Tuesday night while answering to a call on Skyline Highway.

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