Arrest made in 1988 killing

By Jeremy Borden

Published: May 16, 2008

Roger L. Shifflett, a 38-year-old father of five, was shot to death June 20, 1988. Almost two decades later, Albemarle County police have charged a man in his killing.

Alvin Lee Morris, a 67-year-old from Gordonsville, has been charged with first-degree murder, robbery and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

“I’d feel good if he’s the one,” said Joyce Wood, Shifflett’s sister, who lives in Louisa County. “We’d all be glad of it after so many years.”

Shifflett had stopped by Southwind Gas and Grocery Store on Route 20 south of Charlottesville on the morning of June 20, 1988. Shifflett and his wife owned the convenience store, and he also worked as a relief foreman for Norfolk Southern Railway.

Steve Stover, a family friend and employee, later found Shifflett shot in the back of the head, the victim of an apparent robbery. Investigators determined $135 was missing.

Road checks, interviews, tracking dogs, phone calls and rewards did not turn up solid leads in the days and weeks after the killing.

Albemarle Police Chief John Miller said it’s the first cold case that’s been broken in his 19 years with the department.

While he said he couldn’t get into specifics, Miller said a combination of new and old evidence and information helped police make an arrest.

“It was going back and doing re-interviews and going through all the transcripts … and some other things that fell together,” Miller said. He said the break in the case came together in about eight or nine months.

It sends a positive message to the community, he said, as police often go through cold files and are constantly looking for new leads.

“We don’t put them on the shelf,” he said. “They are there forever.”

Commonwealth’s Attorney Denise Lunsford also would not say what cracked the case, but said she may be able to comment further after Morris’ bond hearing this morning. Look for updates online at DailyProgress.com.