Retired Officer Nabs Burglar in His Home

(Note to media: The retired detective will be available for interview at the Massey Building, 4100 Chain Bridge Rd. in Fairfax, from 2 – 2:30 this afternoon.)

Retired FCPD Detective Bruce Wiley

Reston Police District – Retired Fairfax County Police Detective Bruce Wiley served the residents of the county for 28 years. During his tour of duty, Wiley responded to every type of call for service imaginable, from a cat stuck in a tree to a murder scene. He dealt with crime victims with sensitivity and compassion, and investigated crimes with tenacity and dogged determination, but he never thought that he would someday be a crime victim himself. All of that changed in the early morning hours last Wednesday, March 8. Wiley was awakened by a noise in his home in Reston just before 3 a.m. He grabbed a flashlight and a collapsible baton and went to investigate. He found the intruder, who was wearing a full black mask over his face, in the process of stealing items from the home. Wiley pointed the flashlight at the suspect and told him to get on the ground. The suspect did not comply with Wiley’s commands, as he repeated his commands, Wiley closed in on the suspect, struck him once with the baton and took him to the ground. Meanwhile, Wiley’s wife called police.

Officers arrived quickly and took the 17-year-old suspect from Reston, into custody. He was taken to the Reston District station and then released to the custody of his parents. He will be charged with burglary.

Wiley attributes his response in large part to the training and experience he received through the department and credits the officers with a fast and effective response.

Since his retirement in 2010, Wiley has used his extensive job knowledge, training and experience, to train other law enforcement officers in use of force situations.

Please continue to follow us on Twitter, @fairfaxpolice and our blog, www.fcpdnews.wordpress.com for the latest information.