HARRISONBURG, Va. – In a tragic turn of events for the community of Bridgewater College, a man initially slated for trial in the shooting deaths of two beloved police officers at a Virginia college opted to plead guilty, ultimately receiving a life sentence.
Alexander Campbell, 29, made the decision to plead guilty to two counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of Bridgewater College Officer John Painter and Campus Safety Officer J.J. Jefferson. Additionally, Campbell pleaded guilty to two counts of using a firearm during a felony, leading to the judge at Rockingham County Circuit Court to sentence him to two life terms in prison along with an additional six years.
The victims, Painter, 55, and Jefferson, 48, had a strong bond and were affectionately known on campus as the “dynamic duo.” Campbell, a former student from 2013 to 2017 who had also been a member of the cross-country team, perpetrated the violence that shocked the community on February 1, 2022, when the officers responded to a call about a suspicious individual on campus.
During a legal proceeding later that year, it was revealed that Campbell had been harboring illegally in Memorial Hall’s basement for days before the fatal encounter. Evidence presented by Rockingham County prosecutor Marsha Garst showcased that Campbell possessed multiple firearms and tools, including the handgun used in the officers’ deaths.
Prior to Campbell’s final sentencing, family members of the deceased officers delivered impactful statements recounting the profound impact of their loss. The decision to accept the plea deal was partly motivated by a desire to spare the families the anguish of a lengthy trial. Consistent communication with the victims’ families ensured that they were part of the negotiation process and in agreement with the outcome.
Located in Virginia’s picturesque Shenandoah Valley, approximately 180 miles from Washington, D.C., Bridgewater College grappled with the aftermath of this heartbreaking incident that forever altered the lives of those involved.