#Virginia cop is fatally shot during a routine traffic stop

A Virginia police officer was shot and killed during a traffic stop Friday afternoon, cops said.

Officer Nick Winum, 48, had stopped the car of suspect Dakota Richards in the town of Stanley at around 3:30 p.m., according to the Daily News-Record.

But the suspect got out of his car and opened fire on Winum before the five-year veteran even left his patrol car.

Winum died at the scene. Richards fled and was arrested by law enforcement at a nearby field, the outlet reported.

The police department was mourning Winum’s death.

“Since joining our department in 2016, he proudly served and protected the Stanley community,” Chief Ryan Dean said in a statement posted to Facebook.

“I know the Stanley and Page County community are keeping Nick and his family in their prayers during this most difficult and tragic time.”