It’s been more than six years since Trooper Lucas Bartley Dowell made his final call, but on a crisp fall morning in Virginia, his name took flight once again.

Virginia State Police unveiled its newest Kodiak aircraft at the Mountain Empire Airport in Rural Retreat, proudly marked with tail number N876VA — a permanent tribute to Dowell’s badge number, 876.

The plane’s dedication brought together members of the VSP Aviation Division, former colleagues, and Dowell’s family, who toured the aircraft and shared quiet moments with the troopers who served alongside him.

Dowell, 28, was a native of Chilhowie and a five-year veteran of the department when he was killed in the line of duty on Feb. 4, 2019, during a narcotics investigation in Cumberland County.

According to the Officer Down Memor

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