'He had an amazing, beautiful idea of what this job was'

Just two months removed from graduating from the 74th Henrico Police Basic Academy and two months away from marrying the love of his life, Henrico Police Officer Trey Sutton was as happy as family and friends had ever seen him, motivated both by the career and the person he loved most.

That happiness was so evident that even those who barely knew him took note of it. The mother of a fellow police recruit told Sutton’s parents, Duane and Carol, last week that she saw a unique twinkle in his eye during the one time she met him briefly.

Sutton’s selfless and service-oriented nature, his love for his family and fianceé – as well as for hunting trips, golf outings and the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots – were among the traits of his celebrated during a nearly two-hour memorial service for him Wednesday at Victory Tabernacle Church in Midlothian. Hundreds, including Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, gathered there to mourn and remember Sutton, who died at 24 from injuries suffered when the Henrico police cruiser he was driving March 31 crashed at the intersection of Wilkinson Road and Chamberlayne Road. Sutton's field training officer, Greg Petrohovic, and a man who the two officers had taken into custody also were in the car and injured in the crash. Petrohovic is recovering in the hospital. There has been no word publicly on the health of the other man.

Through tears, Sutton’s fiancee, Zoe Pierson, recalled the meticulous ways in which he sought her attention after they met while working at a local car wash as high-schoolers – first asking her to dress him for a birthday dinner, later signing up to attend her prom without her knowing and often bringing his dogs to the car wash to visit her while she was working and he wasn’t.

“It may have taken some convincing, but somewhere along the line, I fell in love,” Pierson said.

The couple publicly told others that children weren’t in their plans, but privately had agreed they wanted two – first a girl, then a boy – Pierson said.

“We planned for this future, but we never planned for one that didn’t include you,” she said.

Sutton had proposed to Pierson in September 2020 – seven months after buying her engagement ring – and the two were to be married in June. In a letter read by Henrico Police Basic Academy coordinator Andrew Lehatto during the memorial service, Sutton’s parents said that his life had taken on new meaning when he met Pierson.

“Zoe changed his life,” they wrote. “We believe that Zoe is the reason why Trey really blossomed over the past several years. She truly made him happy.”

After working for a time as an electrical apprentice, Sutton followed a childhood dream and applied to become a police officer – a position that would allow him to better provide for his wife-to-be while also allowing him to serve and help others. Those were characteristics he’d exemplified throughout his life, according to family and friends.

“We knew that he was able to have a positive impact on so many people’s lives,” his parents wrote. “We wish that he was able to fulfill that destiny.”

Sutton’s playful side left a lasting impression with all those who knew him, too. There were epic airsoft gun battles with his brother when they were children, early-morning golf outings with one of his best friends, Tyler Snellings, and Snellings’ father, and the time he ate onion rings off a stranger’s table at a restaurant while dining with Pierson.

“I told you I was mortified,” she recalled, “but I actually found it hilarious.”

One day during the police academy, Sutton and fellow recruit Matthew Cayne convinced the others to ask as many questions as possible in order to delay or cancel a workout that was scheduled after the classroom lesson, Cayne recalled with a laugh. It didn’t quite work.

To fellow recruits, it was evident how much Sutton loved police work.

“He had an amazing, beautiful idea of what this job was,” Cayne recalled. “He believed in putting his nose to the grindstone, doing the hard work – even when others might not.

“He made me a better man. Everyone who knew him was better for having known him.”

Youngkin told Sutton’s family that although police officers sign up for dangerous careers, “it doesn’t lessen the severe blow that when tragedy strikes, we all feel with you.”

Henrico County Manager John Vithoulkas urged mourners to find purpose and a message in the outpouring of unconditional love that had surrounded Sutton’s family, friends and colleagues since his death.

“Then we might get a sense of what that message is,” Vithoulkas said. “That we be givers until the end, for our reward is not of this earth.”

Sutton had a glow about him, Henrico Police Chief Eric English said.

“His smile and positive attitude were infectious – and much needed in the world we live in today, so it hurts.” English said. “And there is no way to get around it.”

During a speech on the House of Representatives floor in Washington, D.C. Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-7th District), honored Sutton's service and life.

"In an instant," she said, "Virginia lost one of our best — someone who demonstrated both bravery and compassion through his actions."

Sutton’s younger brother, Jared, said he planned to dedicate the rest of his life to making his brother proud.

“Today, do not mourn,” Jared Sutton told those gathered Wednesday. Instead, he said, recalling his brother’s pursuit and realization of his lifelong dream: “Celebrate.”

* * * Watch the memorial service for Henrico Police Officer Trey Sutton