VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – The members of the Virginia Sheriffs’ Association unanimously elected Sheriff Arthur Townsend, Jr. of Lunenburg County today to serve a one-year term as president of the Association, an 8,900 member organization representing Virginia’s sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, and sheriff’s office personnel.
With a career in law enforcement spanning 32 years, Sheriff Townsend has been with the Lunenburg Sheriff’s Office since 1985 and was first elected Sheriff in 2006. “I am honored to serve as President of the Virginia Sheriffs’ Association and look forward to working with our members, the Governor, and the General Assembly to advance the interests of public safety during these tight budget times,” said Sheriff Townsend.
Approximately 400 sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, and special guests from across Virginia attended the 81st annual conference in Virginia Beach, which concludes on Wednesday, September 17.
The Virginia Sheriffs’ Association is the professional trade association representing the interests of law enforcement and sheriffs’ offices in Virginia. It is the primary voice for Virginia sheriffs in the General Assembly on all matters relating to public safety.