The police chief of the town of Brodnax died in a crash on U.S. 58 on Friday night.

The police chief of the town of Brodnax died in a crash on U.S. 58 on Friday night.

The South Hill Enterprise - the local newspaper in the area - confirms that Joe Carey died after being struck by a vehicle near the border of Mecklenburg and Brunswick counties.

He was attempting to remove a dog from the road when he was hit, Virginia State Police said late Friday.

He was attempting to remove a dog from the road when he was hit, Virginia State Police said late Friday.

Carey was returning to his vehicle on the side of the road when a Ford F-150 pickup truck traveling eastbound was unable to avoid striking Carey, police said.

He was transported to Community Memorial Hospital - VCU Health in South Hill where he died.

The driver of the truck was not injured.

The driver of the truck was not injured.

“Highly regarded for his public safety professionalism and experience, Joe was a genuine friend to so many of us,” Brodnax Mayor Don Duggar said in a statement released by Virginia State Police.

“He truly loved his job and worked hard to make a difference while protecting and serving our town.”