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2008 SESSION

084855250
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 218
Offered February 22, 2008
Celebrating the life of Jason Lee Saunders.
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Patrons-- Hurt and Newman; Delegates: Byron and Merricks
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WHEREAS, Deputy Jason Lee Saunders, aged 24, of the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office, is remembered for his valiant performance as a law-enforcement officer and for his devotion to his faith, family, community, and fellow officers; and

WHEREAS, Jason “Jay” Lee Saunders of Altavista, the devoted son of Clyde Dale and Peggy Vaughan Saunders, died in the line of duty during the pursuit of a suspect on April 3, 2007; and

WHEREAS, Jay Saunders graduated from Altavista High School in 2001; he joined Campbell County as a 911 dispatcher because he was too young to become a deputy at age 18; and

WHEREAS, committed to making a difference in his community, Jay Saunders also trained to be a volunteer firefighter for the Altavista Volunteer Fire Department, where he was well-known and liked, having served at 16 years of age as one of the department’s first junior firefighters; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from the Central Virginia Criminal Justice Academy in 2004, Deputy Jay Saunders joined the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office, where he served with distinction for nearly three years; and

WHEREAS, dedicated to protecting and serving Virginia’s citizens and enforcing the laws of the Commonwealth, Deputy Jay Saunders was a courageous and professional deputy, who was respected by his fellow law-enforcement officers; and

WHEREAS, always willing to help his neighbors in need in Campbell County, Deputy Jay Saunders was a faithful member of the Altavista Church of Christ and supported the church’s many missions in the community; and

WHEREAS, Deputy Jay Saunders was an avid car enthusiast and enjoyed riding four-wheelers and driving his pride and joy, a 1990 5.0 Mustang; and

WHEREAS, Deputy Jay Saunders will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his parents, Peggy and Dale Saunders; his brother Michael Saunders and his wife Beth and niece Brooke of Gretna; his grandfather Ollie Vaughan of Hurt; his special friend Cheryl Heller and her two children; and his many friends and admirers; and

WHEREAS, the loss of Deputy Jay Saunders is tragic, not only for his family but also for his fellow law-enforcement officers and the citizens of the Commonwealth, and a reminder of the great sacrifices made by our police officers and all first responders throughout the Commonwealth and the nation; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the passing of a dedicated public servant and an outstanding Virginian, Deputy Jason Lee Saunders; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Deputy Jason Lee Saunders as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.