Bill Text: VA SJR397 | 2019 | Regular Session | Enrolled


Bill Title: Commending Ashland D. Fortune.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2019-02-20 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ397ER) [SJR397 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2019-SJR397-Enrolled.html

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 397
Commending Ashland D. Fortune.

 

Agreed to by the Senate, February 18, 2019
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 19, 2019

 

WHEREAS, Ashland D. Fortune, Louisa County sheriff, is retiring in 2019 after serving in the position for two decades; and

WHEREAS, Ashland Fortune is a 55-year veteran of law enforcement and since January 2000 has served as the sheriff of Louisa County; he is also a successful businessman and a devoted and dedicated family man; and

WHEREAS, Ashland Fortune received his early education in Louisa County Public Schools graduating from A. G. Richardson High School; he attended Virginia State University, majoring in agriculture and business; he graduated from the Virginia State Police Academy in 1967; and

WHEREAS, Ashland Fortune was the first African American chief of police in the Town of Louisa, where he served for 35 years; he was also the first African American elected sheriff of Louisa County; and

WHEREAS, Ashland Fortune served as a career counselor for the youth of Louisa County; he was a First Aid instructor for over 17 years, formed the first auxiliary police force in the county, and successfully brought technology and proactive programs into the office addressing Internet crimes against children, elder checks, drug takebacks, citizens' academies, a K-9 unit, and forensic investigations and special operations; and

WHEREAS, Ashland Fortune implemented both a Narcotics Task Force and a Gang Task Force; he mandated cultural diversity training for all personnel prior to it being mandated by law; he consistently maintained excellent reviews on all exercises and drills at North Anna Nuclear Generating Station; and

WHEREAS, Ashland Fortune provided department instructors to train all personnel in active shooter situations, upgraded professional standards, and continually worked to provide a full range of professional law-enforcement services to the community including school resource officers, firearm safety classes, and community group educational programming about crime issues; and

WHEREAS, Ashland Fortune has maintained involvement in numerous community organizations and boards including the Galilee Baptist Church Louisa, the Virginia Sheriff's Association, the Fraternal Order of Police, the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police, the Regional Crime Clinic, and the Piedmont Virginia Community College; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Ashland D. Fortune, on the occasion of his retirement as sheriff of Louisa County; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Ashland D. Fortune as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for his leadership and dedication to service and best wishes for his well-earned retirement.

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