John Yenchak

John Yenchak, a Distinguished Sheriff’s Deputy, is Indicted

On Monday, a grand jury indicted former Stafford County sheriff’s deputy John Yenchak on charges of involuntary manslaughter and reckless driving. He is accused of killing 44-year-old Jesse Schertz, a Norfolk resident, in an auto accident last July.

Yenchak was placed on administrative leave by Culpeper County Commonwealth’s Attorney Paul Walther and will depart the sheriff’s department in December 2021.

Early Life and Education

Early years in a child’s life are critical for their development. These years lay the groundwork for social skills, self-worth and perception of the world, as well as cognitive growth.

Children’s brains develop at an incredible rate during these critical years of their lives. Promoting healthy brain development is essential for education, economic productivity, responsible citizenship and lifelong health.

Early childhood education (ECE) is a fundamental element in supporting children’s cognitive and physical growth during this formative stage of their lives. It’s essential to nurture social skills, creativity, empathy and sense of purpose by offering them stimulating activities that nurture these traits.

Professional Career

John yenchak was a highly decorated sheriff’s deputy until his tenure with the department came to an end. In July of 2021 he was driving his department’s intimidating black and white patrol car on Garrisonville Road when it tragically struck and killed 44-year-old Jesse Schertz of Norfolk, VA, a veteran of two tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Yenchak has been unemployed for almost a year, receiving an annual severance package worth nearly $40,000 from his former employer. Additionally, he was charged with misdemeanor for the incident as well as receiving DUI for that crime and receiving a speeding ticket. Since then he hasn’t been hired anywhere else; the only job available to him was at the state Department of Motor Vehicles – at which salary was around $35,000.

Achievements and Honors

As a three-sport varsity athlete in the early 1950s, yenchak earned two starts on the football field and was an active member of the cross country team for two years. Track and field saw him become Edinboro’s first ever MVP winner; on court he was an impressive anchor on 4 x 400 intermediate relay and captained their winning high school team during an important conference tournament. His name continues to adorn many proud alumni’s walls today alongside an impressive list of accolades.

Personal Life

Officer John Yenchak of the Prince William County Police Department in Virginia was honored for his valor by the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police. He and fellow officers Rachel Mynier, Evan Jurgensen, and Nicholas Kelly were commended for their actions during a November 2017 shooting in Woodbridge, Virginia.

Investigators believe Yenchak was driving his sheriff’s patrol car eastbound on Garrisonville Road at 12:09 a.m. when he struck and killed 44-year-old Jesse Schertz of Norfolk who had just crossed the street near Center Street. First responders pronounced Schertz dead at the scene. Following learning of the accident, Yenchak was placed on administrative leave before departing from the Sheriff’s Office in December 2021; a grand jury has since indicted him for involuntary manslaughter and reckless driving.

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