Norton Police Chief seriously injured in shooting incident

At approximately 4:10 p.m. on Friday (May 7, 2021), the Norton Police Department received an emergency call concerning a shoplifter at a commercial business within the 600 block of Commonwealth Drive in the City of Norton. As Norton Police Chief James Lane pulled up to the parking lot, he encountered a male pedestrian. The man began shooting into the chief’s vehicle, striking the chief. The chief returned fire. A Norton Police Officer, who had just arrived on scene, also fired at the male pedestrian. A handgun belonging to the pedestrian was recovered at the scene.

The male pedestrian, James Dyer Buckland, 35, of Pound, Va., was shot. He was flown by State Police Med-Flight helicopter to Johnson City Medical Center for treatment of serious injuries. Buckland has been charged with attempted capital murder of a police officer, use of a firearm in the comission of a felony and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

The Chief was also flown to Johnson City Medical Center, where he is being treated for serious injuries

At the request of the Norton Police Department, the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Wytheville Field Office is investigating the shooting incident in conjunction with Wise County Commonwealth’s Attorney Chuck Slemp.

The investigation remains ongoing at this time.