On January 15, 2026, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued a pardon of PBA member and former Fairfax County Officer Wesley Shifflett, who had been convicted of reckless handling of a firearm in regard to a line-of-duty shooting incident in 2023.

On February 22, 2023, PBA member Shifflett contacted PBA immediately after the on-duty incident.  A shoplifting suspect had run from officers and ended up in the woods.  The suspect then turned toward the officers, who perceived that the suspect had, and was pulling a weapon, ignoring commands. The suspect was fatally shot.  PBA attorney Caleb Kershner was immediately assigned to the case.  The Commonwealth Attorney presented the incident to a grand jury in April 2023, and a no-bill was returned.  The commonwealth attorney later made the unusual move of presenting the matter again to a special grand jury in October 2023.  After hearing testimony from an expert who was later excluded from trial, the grand jury returned an indictment against Shifflett on felony counts of 1) reckless handling of a firearm and 2) involuntary manslaughter.  The case went to trial in October 2024, and the jury returned verdicts of not guilty of involuntary manslaughter and guilty of reckless handling of a firearm.  On February 28, 2025, Shifflett was sentenced to five years with three to serve and was taken to jail.  On March 2nd, 2025, through the political efforts of PBA, Gov. Youngkin issued a conditional pardon of Shifflett, and he was released from jail.  PBA continued to support Shifflett’s appeal.  Gov. Youngkin issued a pardon of Shifflett in January, exonerating him and thereby ending the criminal portion of Shifflett’s case.

Shifflett commented, "I am eternally grateful for the PBA and the advocacy they have provided me over the past three years. From the very beginning, they stood in my corner and committed every necessary resource to defending me. Even at my lowest points, I never doubted that the PBA had my back, and that support is something I will never forget. I can’t thank Governor Youngkin, the PBA, my attorneys with Simms Showers, and my friends and family enough. I am humbled to begin a new chapter in my life.”

“PBA has supported Officer Shifflett since this incident occurred three years ago,” said Joe Woloszyn, VAPBA Division President.  “We are gratified to see the criminal aspects of this ordeal come to an end for our member.”