On December 27th, 1972 three men, Mack Holland, Ralph Walker and Percy Floyd, robbed the First Virginia Bank in Seminary Plaza in Alexandria, Virginia. My Father, Detective Conrad L Birney, was a 17 year veteran of the force serving in the youth division at the time. He responded to the bank alarm and confronted them as they were exiting the bank. They knocked him down in the entrance way and made their escape. One of the three (unknown which one) then came back and shot him - he bled to death on the sidewalk.

Percy Floyd is in jail at this time, and it is believed that Walker and Holland died in prison.Two were escapees and one was on parole from Lorton Correctional Facility for similar crimes at the time.

My father was only 40 years old at the time and left a young family at home- my Mother, myself, my sister, and brother. My father was a Marine Corp veteran of the Korean War and grew up in Alexandria.

Over the years I have heard stories of what an impact he had on the youth of Alexandria. Of how when he pulled up in the projects and kids would gather around his cruiser to chat. They considered him a friend, not just the police. They knew he would arrest them if they violated the law, but more importantly guide and mentor them if they needed his help. There were many that he would take to McDonald's for a meal if they were hungry, always using his own money.

In 1988 I followed in his footsteps onto the Police Department as a police officer. I encountered several people who he had dealt with that remembered him with great respect.

One still gives me chills to this day. I had previously taken a domestic violence report from a young woman after her boyfriend had hit her. A few weeks later I heard a call go out for an officer to respond and assist the same woman. The boyfriend had found out where she was and was threatening her again. I volunteered to back up the officer since I was familiar with the case. We walked her outside when her father arrived. He was very angry and said “I do not trust any police officers. There was only one officer I trusted and he saved my life, then died a few days later. His name was Detective Birney.” Both Officer Morris and I were stunned. All Officer Morris could do was point to me and say, “This is his daughter.” The man instantly became calm and told us how Dad had convinced him not to retaliate against gang members who had beaten him up. After that he turned his life around.

If my father had lived, who knows how many other lives he could have helped. Percy Floyd deserves to stay in prison for his full term. These men did not just murder one man, they denied a community of a truly caring police officer.

We need to tell the Virginia State Parole Board that we do not want Percy Floyd released onto our streets.  Keep him in prison where he belongs.

Judy (Birney) Schoenle