Strasburg Police Department

06/01/2026

This month, the Strasburg Police Department is proud to spotlight Officer Michael Kelchner for his dedication, professionalism, and service to the community.

Officer Kelchner is currently assigned to patrol and has been with SPD for 6 months. Before joining our department, he served 5 years in law enforcement, including 2.5 years with the Howard County Sheriff’s Office in Maryland where he worked patrol, the Domestic Violence Unit, and the Warrant Fugitive Unit. He also spent 2.5 years with the Clearwater Police Department in Florida assigned to patrol and the Traffic Enforcement Team, where he served as a Traffic Homicide Investigator and Drug Recognition Expert (DRE).

Officer Kelchner remains certified as a DRE in Virginia and is one of approximately 75 certified Drug Recognition Experts in the Commonwealth. Nationwide, only a very small percentage of officers earn this certification due to the rigorous and specialized training required. He describes earning the certification as one of the hardest accomplishments of his career and something he is extremely proud of.

What Officer Kelchner enjoys most about SPD is the small-town atmosphere and strong sense of community. He appreciates being able to interact with residents outside of calls for service, whether it’s talking with community members or playing basketball at the park. He also values working for a department where supervisors remain active on patrol and involved with the community.

Outside of work, Officer Kelchner enjoys spending time with his wife, family, friends, and pets. He also enjoys sports, camping, traveling, technology, and home improvement projects.

His advice to fellow officers is simple but meaningful: “Always treat people with integrity and respect. We get called to people on their worst days. Always do what’s right whether someone is watching or not.”
Thank you, Officer Kelchner, for your continued service and commitment to the Strasburg community!

05/28/2026

The Strasburg Police Department recently completed CPR recertification training for adults, children, and infants, along with First Aid training.

We would like to extend a sincere thank you to the Strasburg Volunteer Rescue Squad, Inc and Instructor Adam Galton for their outstanding support, instruction, and assistance throughout the training. Your dedication helps ensure our officers are prepared to respond when our community needs us most.

We appreciate your partnership and commitment to keeping Strasburg safe!

05/28/2026

🎯🚔 Guns N’ Hoses Paintball Event 🚒🎯
*Help raise money for first responders*

Get ready for an action-packed day of fun, friendly competition, and community spirit at the Guns N’ Hoses Paintball Event!

📅 Saturday, May 30, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
📍 Cousins Paintball – Strasburg, VA

Come out and support your local first responders as law enforcement and fire & rescue face off on the paintball field! Bring your friends, family, and competitive spirit for a day full of excitement and community fun.

Who do you think will take the win this year — 🚔 Guns or 🚒 Hoses?

05/25/2026

Today, we pause to honor and remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Memorial Day is more than the start of summer, it is a solemn reminder of the courage, sacrifice, and selflessness of those who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the freedoms we enjoy every day.

The Strasburg Police Department extends our deepest gratitude to the fallen heroes and to the families who carry their memory forward with strength and pride.

Their sacrifice will never be forgotten!🇺🇸

05/22/2026

ATTENTION ALL PARENTS

Please see the attached flyer regarding sextortion.

Our agency has recently received reports involving the sextortion of juveniles in our area. With the school year ending and children likely spending more time on digital devices, we encourage all parents and guardians to have conversations with their children about online safety.

Please take time to regularly check your child’s devices and monitor for any suspicious or concerning behavior.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our agency at any time.

05/20/2026

05/18/2026

05/14/2026

As we continue celebrating National Police Week, we want to take a moment to recognize the incredible men and women of the Strasburg Police Department.

Every day, our officers and entire department work tirelessly to keep our community safe while also helping make Strasburg a fun, welcoming place to live, work, and visit. From answering calls and protecting our streets, to community events, school visits, and building relationships with our residents — it takes dedication, teamwork, and heart.

We are proud to serve such a supportive community and grateful for the encouragement shown to our department each and every day. Thank you to our officers, staff, and the families who stand behind them for their continued commitment and sacrifice.

Here’s to the hard work, professionalism, and pride of the Strasburg Police Department. 💙🚔

05/13/2026

A huge thank you to Kristina with Heavenly Sips and Snacks for the thoughtful donations to the Strasburg Police Department in appreciation of Police Week! Captain Henry was honored to accept such a sweet treat on behalf of our department. 🍩☕💙

This morning, our officers also had the opportunity to visit Grasshopper Green Preschool to show off one of our cruisers and talk with the children about what it means to be a police officer. We always enjoy spending time with the youngest members of our community!

We truly have an amazing support system here in Strasburg, and we are so grateful for the kindness and encouragement shown to our officers each and every day. Thank you for supporting your Strasburg Police Department!

05/12/2026

Press Release

Hoax IED Device – Strasburg, VA

Strasburg, VA - On Friday May 8th, 2026, at 7:55 am, authorities were alerted to a suspicious device located in a car wash bay, in the 100 block E. Washington St. Strasburg, VA 22657. The Strasburg Police Department and Shenandoah Combined Fire and Rescue responded to the scene and located what appeared to be an improvised explosive device, or “IED,” in the bay of the car wash. Officers immediately requested additional resources and began establishing a safety zone to protect the citizens and visitors of Strasburg. Additional resources from the Shenandoah County Fire Marshal’s Office, Virginia State Police Bomb Squad, Shenandoah County Emergency Communications Center, and the Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office responded and established a Unified Command to mitigate the incident.
During the investigation one daycare and two homes were evacuated. Additional “shelter in place” orders were issued to nearby homes and businesses. The Virginia State Police Bomb Squad deployed specialized equipment to examine the device. At 11:15 am the device was determined to be no threat to the public. A suspect was identified as Christopher Tod Miller of Strasburg and was later apprehended in Frederick County. The suspect was taken into custody and transported to RSW regional jail in Front Royal.
The incident is still an active investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact the Shenandoah County Fire Marshal’s Office or the Strasburg Police Department.
Charges acquired:
18.2-83 – Threats to bomb, damage; false information as to danger to such buildings
18.2-85 - Manufacture, possession, use, etc., of firebombs or explosive materials or devices, Hoax Bomb
18.2-46.6 – Possession, mfg., distribution, etc., of weapon of terrorism or hoax device
Investigator Dotson – SCFMO – 540-915-4970
Detective Springer – SPD – 540-465-5230
We would like to remind you that if you see something, say something.