Davidson sentenced for damage to Hodge memorial

A man who had been arrested and charged on Feb. 15 for the damage that occurred on Route 11 to a temporary memorial near the site of the wreck that took the life of Deputy Perry Hodge, was convicted and sentenced today, according to Pulaski County Commonwealth’s Attorney Justin Griffith.

Griffith said that John Logan Davidson was convicted today in Pulaski County General District Court of a class 1 misdemeanor, Destruction of Property less than $1,000 and received a 12-month suspended jail sentence that is contingent upon him successfully completing supervised probation and paying a $500 fine.

In addition, he was also convicted of a second class 1 misdemeanor, Reckless Driving, and received 3 months with 3 months suspended and the maximum 6 months driver’s license suspension.

Lastly, he entered a guilty plea to a third charge of Leaving the Scene of an Accident less than $500 and was placed on probation for a period of 12 months. The Court will enter a conviction on that charge if he does not abide by the Court’s conditions.

“The Commonwealth appreciates this young man accepting responsibility for his actions,” Griffith said in a statement.

“The temporary memorial on Rt. 11 in memory of Sgt. Perry Hodge certainly means a lot to many people in this community, including my office. As someone who had no criminal convictions before today, we are hopeful and confident that Mr. Davidson abides by the Court’s orders and that his actions that day were an anomaly. Mr. Davidson was extremely remorseful for his actions. This case is a good example of how we don’t always know just how our actions can affect others. The Commonwealth is appreciative of the work of the Virginia State Police and the assistance of the public in this investigation,” said Griffith.