A man and his dog are found shot to death
In the spring of 2003, the quiet community of Floyd County, Virginia, was unsettled by the brutal death of one of its own. Richard Anthony 'Dickie' Palmer, a 52-year-old Caucasian male, was found deceased on April 22, 2003. His body, along with that of his cherished red Australian Heeler, Rufus, was discovered inside his Chevrolet pickup truck at Perry Park in the city of Roanoke. The initial discovery was made in Roanoke, but the investigation soon led back to Palmer's residence in Riner, a community within Floyd County.
Investigators with the Virginia State Police determined that Palmer and his dog had been shot to death at his home. Evidence, including the discovery of blood in the yard of his residence by a family member, supported the theory that the crime occurred in Floyd County before the killer transported the bodies to Roanoke. For years, the case remained cold, leaving a void in the lives of his family and a lingering question in the community. Palmer was remembered as a dedicated family man and father, and his sudden and violent death left his loved ones searching for answers.
After more than two decades of investigative work by the Virginia State Police, the Floyd County Sheriff's Office, the City of Roanoke Police Department, and the Texas Department of Public Safety, a significant breakthrough occurred. In January 2025, a Floyd County Grand Jury issued indictments for a suspect in the long-unsolved murder. Authorities announced that the individual, who has not been publicly named pending their arrest, was already incarcerated for unrelated crimes. This development, after 21 years, brought a renewed sense of hope for justice for Richard Palmer and his family. The diligent efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies were credited with finally providing answers in the tragic case.
