Anger, irony and Bucky Nester
The saddest irony from the shoting last May that left 75-year-old Paul Belcher dead is that his apparent accidental death came at the hands of a Floyd County official who once taught firearms safety to area residents.
A grand jury indicted Animal Control Officer Garland D "Bucky" Nester last week on charges of involuntary manslaughter and reckless handling of a firearm after a five-month investigation by Virginia State Police into how and why Nester fired his weapon at a recalcitrant cow. One of the bullets struck 75-year-old Belcher, who was coming to help Nester with the cow that has wandered off the animal control officer’s farm.
Nester once served as a hunting safety training officer for the county, teaching others how to safely handle firearms.
I knew about the indictments when they came down last week but had to hold off writing the story for The Floyd Press until Nester could be arrested by State Troopers. My story about the indictments is in today’s edition.
Grand juries in Floyd County generaly meet once every three months but the day-long "special session" last week focused mostly on Nester and the findings of State Police investigators.
Nester is scheduled to appear before Circuit Judge Ray W. Grubbs on Nov. 18. Courthouse sources also tell me Belcher’s family has hired Montgomery County attorney Kendall Clay for civil action against Nester.
I have not lived here long but I have had contact with the Sheriffs office. The deputies I dealt with seemed to be nice folks. I’m not a big fan of the police, quite a few seem to take pleasure in harassing folks but I did not get that feeling from these guys (of course I was not the one breaking the law) I doubt that the Floyd County officers are perfect but I’ve seen a lot worse.
Cindy Lee
November 6, 2008 at 10:33 pm
How much longer is Nester going to be employed. Our tax money is paying him and has for five months while he hasn’t worked. Why didn’t the local authorities do something, several have said that he had a temper problem and acted erratic. Well here’s your clue, he didn’t need the job he had and should have been investigated before he killed someone. There suppose to be ‘experts’ on drug and alcohol problems. If they have a sworn position and carry a gun are you suppose to turn your head? Who is looking into the possible mental and substance problems with the department thats suppose to be there to help us? They should have testing and it should be screened by an agency not affiliated with local department heads.
kathy Toms
November 6, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Kathy:
The Animal Control Officer is a county employee and answers to the County Administrator and the Board of Supervisors. The position is not part of the Sheriff’s Department.
And let’s not pass on unfounded rumors and speculation. I know many members of the Sheriff’s Department and consider them friends. Sheriff Shannon Zeman and Chief Investigatgor Jeff Dalton are also fellow motorcycle enthusiasts. I would trust either with my life. They and their fellow law enforcement officers are honest, hard-working public servants who do more than asked for less than other jurisdictions pay their police officers. I’ve lived a lot of places and dealt with many police departments. Floyd’s is one of the best.
Doug Thompson
November 6, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Kathy how did you read that and interpret it into stiffer drug testing for law enforcement. I may not be 100% correct but I believe that Animal Control is not part of the Sheriff’s Office. Doesn’t he answer to a board or something?
Eric
November 6, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Who are we to judge this entire situation…how do you know he shot erratically…there were only two people there that know the truth…and I would bet an entires year salary that Mr. Nester is not a “user”…Everytime I’ve had contact with him he has always been nice…was good at his job!!! I’ve lived here for 20 years and have never heard anything negative about him – - unless it was from someone that was abusing their animal…I don’t think that chastising this man on the web is going to help matters any…isn’t someone innocent until proven guilty…your article that is posted here is not true and accurate and you should take it off of here. I do feel for the family and am truly sorry that this ACCIDENT happened but does that mean that another should lose his life…his life is already ruined and he has to live with what he did on a daily basis…lets remember that his children are paying for this also…
Marie
November 7, 2008 at 7:45 pm
There was a witness to the event Marie. Bucky has a hare trigger to his temper and he reacts to it! He has also been on paid leave. This is Floyd County residents tax dollars paying for this.
TABITHA
November 11, 2008 at 9:58 pm
You are right about one thing,in the United States everyone is innocent until proven guilty.Although this case has not got the same courtesy.Just so you know I also have known him at least 20 plus years or so,not only does he have children, a wife and 2 sisters and families who also are suffering each day this goes on.keep this in mind, Accident is something that happens unexpectedly, unintended and usually without apparent or deliberate cause. And can involve anyone at any time.I also hate that this happened, but like Mrs. Belcher said it was a “Freak Accident.” As Marie said who are we to judge this entire situation……..That should come from a higher power than any of us have.
Sissy
November 26, 2008 at 11:21 pm