SEARCH SITE
VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL
- Code of Virginia
- Virginia Administrative Code
- Constitution of Virginia
- Charters
- Authorities
- Compacts
- Uncodified Acts
- RIS Users (account required)
SEARCHABLE DATABASES
- Bills & Resolutions
session legislation - Bill Summaries
session summaries - Reports to the General Assembly
House and Senate documents - Legislative Liaisons
State agency contacts
ACROSS SESSIONS
- Subject Index: Since 1995
- Bills & Resolutions: Since 1994
- Summaries: Since 1994
Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.
2014 SESSION
14105001DWHEREAS, Orris James Rowley III, a dedicated member of the Parksley Volunteer Fire Company for 44 years who was very active in the first-responder community throughout the Eastern Shore and who served the Commonwealth as a magistrate for the Supreme Court of Virginia, died on December 4, 2013; and
WHEREAS, Orris “Jimmy” Rowley joined the volunteer fire company when he was a teenager; he was one of the first certified paramedics on the Eastern Shore and was an emergency medical services (EMS) instructor for many years; and
WHEREAS, Jimmy Rowley had served as president and chaplain of the Parksley Volunteer Fire Company; at the time of his death, he was secretary and rescue squad captain of the organization; and
WHEREAS, Jimmy Rowley also had been president of the Delmarva Volunteer Firemen’s Association and was serving as the group’s chaplain and parliamentarian when he died; and
WHEREAS, as a magistrate for the Supreme Court of Virginia, Jimmy Rowley supervised the 7th Magisterial Region; he also was a member of the Virginia Magistrates Association; he kept copies of the state legal code and procedures manuals at home in case he was called after-hours; and
WHEREAS, Jimmy Rowley also was a 911 dispatcher from 1992 to 2008; even today, people remember the calm demeanor he had in emergency situations; he also was a supervisor at the center and trained other dispatchers; and
WHEREAS, Jimmy Rowley, who lived in Parksley, worked to develop and promote best practices among first-response organizations as a member of the Eastern Shore EMS Council; and
WHEREAS, because of his deep involvement in the first-responder community, Jimmy Rowley was considered to be the informal historian of the Accomack County fire and EMS services; he possessed a deep knowledge of local firefighting and rescue squad history; and
WHEREAS, Jimmy Rowley was a key supporter of the effort to create a memorial to honor first responders on the Eastern Shore who died in the line of duty; it is due to be built on the grounds of the Eastern Shore Regional Fire Training Center in Melfa; and
WHEREAS, Jimmy Rowley was very involved in the community; he was a past master of the former Parksley Lodge #325 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons (AF/AM) and had been a current member of the Central Lodge #300 AF/AM in Onley, where he was an instructor and lecturer; and
WHEREAS, Jimmy Rowley also was a past exalted ruler for the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks #1766; he also was secretary of St. Thomas United Methodist Church; and
WHEREAS, Jimmy Rowley will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by his uncle, Brice Walker, and his cousins; and by many friends, neighbors, and fellow first responders; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of Virginia hereby note with great sadness the loss of Orris James Rowley III, a member of the Parksley Volunteer Fire Company for 44 years, who worked selflessly to protect the lives and property of his friends and neighbors as a leader of the first-responder community on the Eastern Shore, and who served the Commonwealth as a magistrate for the Supreme Court of Virginia; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Orris James Rowley III as an expression of the Senate of Virginia’s respect for his memory.