On-duty Virginia officer killed in car crash while responding to police call

WINCHESTER, Va. - A Northern Virginia officer was responding to a call when he was killed in a car crash Saturday night, according to officials.

Winchester police say Officer Hunter Edwards was responding to a call of a fight just a few blocks away on S. Loudoun Street just before 11 p.m. when he crashed his police cruiser on West Jubal Drive. No other cars were involved in the collision.

The 30-year-old was taken to the hospital where he died.

Officer Edwards served the Winchester Police Department for four years as a member of the Patrol Division. Police say he was a member of the SWAT team and had also served on the Civil Disturbance Unit.

He leaves behind his wife, Tara Edwards, and his stepson.

Chief John Piper said to officers at the hospital on Sunday morning, "This is going to be a very difficult time for Hunter's family and for each of us. Take care of yourselves; take care of each other."

Winchester police say funeral arrangements are pending.

In a Tweet Sunday, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam ordered flags be flown at half-staff on the day of Officer Edwards' burial from sunrise to sunset at Virginia federal, state, and local facilities in his honor:

"I'll order U.S. and Virginia flags be lowered to half staff on the date of Officer Hunter Edwards' internment from sunrise to sunset at federal, state, and local facilities in Virginia in his memory. Let's keep his family and colleagues in our thoughts."