Bill Text: VA SJR406 | 2019 | Regular Session | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of James Walter Rogers.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2019-02-20 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ406ER) [SJR406 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2019-SJR406-Introduced.html
19105984D
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 406
Offered February 13, 2019
Celebrating the life of James Walter Rogers.
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Patrons-- Stanley; Delegates: Marshall and Poindexter
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WHEREAS, James Walter Rogers, decorated veteran, active community member, and respected former sheriff of Henry County, died on January 24, 2019; and

WHEREAS, James Rogers was born in Stokes County, North Carolina, and served with the United States Marine Corps for 21 years; he was a decorated veteran of World War II and the Korean War where he fought in four major battles, including the Chosin Reservoir battle where temperatures reached 35 degrees below zero; and

WHEREAS, in addition to receiving three Presidential Unit Citations, James Rogers was awarded many medals including the Bronze Star Medal with Combat V and the Purple Heart for his valorous actions when he was wounded by machine gun fire during the Korean War; his outstanding marksmanship skills earned him highly coveted positions on the Marine Corps Competition Rifle Team, as well as the Competition Pistol Team; in addition to winning over 200 trophies, he also won two gold medals and one silver during inter-service and divisional rifle competitions; and

WHEREAS, immediately following his retirement from the Marine Corps in 1964, James Rogers joined the Henry County Sheriff's Department when there were only four other deputies; he worked as a road deputy and investigator and later established the department's first records system, which was highly praised by state and federal officials; and

WHEREAS, James Rogers was elected sheriff in November 1979 and completed three four-year terms until retiring on December 31, 1991; and

WHEREAS, as sheriff, James Rogers was known as a law-enforcement leader who built trust and mutual respect with members of the community; during his tenure, he expanded the Henry County Sheriff's Office's technology capabilities and significantly grew the department's ranks; and

WHEREAS, James Rogers was very active in local historical, civic, and veterans groups; he served as a member of the Martinsville and Henry County Veteran's Honor Guard, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 52, American Legion Post 42, Sons of the American Revolution, and the Marine Corps League Edward W. Richardson Detachment; and

WHEREAS, James Rogers was a Master Mason of the Piedmont Masonic Lodge No. 152; he served on the board of directors for the Fieldale-Collinsville Rescue Squad for 16 years; he was a longtime member of Stone Memorial Christian Church where he served as a deacon and later was a charter member of Traditional Christian Church; he was also an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed gardening, hunting, and fishing; and

WHEREAS, predeceased by his wife, Vera, James Rogers will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his children, Jan and Mike, and their families; and numerous other family and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of James Walter Rogers; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of James Walter Rogers, respected former sheriff of Henry County, as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.

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