ROANOKE, Va. — The public health and social justice communities in Virginia are grieving the loss of a compassionate and relentless advocate, Michael Eric “Wikel” Shermat, whose work centered on dignity and direct aid for some of the state’s most marginalized individuals. Shermat, 42, passed away recently, leaving a profound void in the network of care he helped build.
Shermat was best known as a co-founder of the Virginia Harm Reduction Coalition (VHRC), an organization dedicated to the lifesaving practice of meeting people struggling with substance use where they are, without judgment. Through the VHRC, he was instrumental in distributing naloxone to reverse opioid overdoses, providing sterile syringes to prevent the spread of disease, and offering a consistent, compassionate point of human connection for countless individuals.
“Wikel wasn’t just an advocate; he was a frontline soldier in the fight for human dignity,” said a colleague from a partner organization. “He understood that you can’t help someone get well if they aren’t alive to receive help. His work was controversial to some, but to the people he served, he was often the only person who saw them as human beings deserving of care and safety. He saved lives, period.”
His approach was deeply personal, rooted in a philosophy that emphasized practical support and unconditional positive regard over punitive measures. Friends and colleagues describe a man who operated with unwavering empathy, often spending nights and weekends on outreach, driven by a belief that every life had value.
“The coalition wasn’t a job to him; it was his calling,” shared a longtime friend. “He carried the weight of the epidemic with him, but he channeled that into action. He knew the names and stories of the people he served. His legacy is in the hundreds—maybe thousands—of overdoses reversed and infections prevented because of his work.”
In the wake of his passing, his family has acknowledged the significant logistical and financial challenges that accompany an unexpected loss. They have requested the community’s prayers for strength and have begun the difficult process of planning a memorial that honors the scale of his impact.
News of his death, shared with the hashtag #Roanoke, has prompted an outpouring of tributes from public health workers, former clients, and community members whose lives he touched. Many are sharing stories of his quiet, determined kindness, remembering him as a foundational pillar of Roanoke’s harm reduction efforts.
As arrangements are finalized, the community he built is left to carry forward his mission—a testament to a life dedicated not to prestige, but to the radical, practical act of caring for those whom society too often ignores. Michael “Wikel” Shermat’s legacy is measured in the continuity of that care and the enduring impact of his compassion.