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2016 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 429
Celebrating the life of Jo Ellen Emswiler.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 8, 2016
Agreed to by the Senate, March 10, 2016

 

WHEREAS, Jo Ellen Emswiler of Harrisonburg, a career law-enforcement officer with the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office and its first female road deputy, an animal lover who was a veterinary technician, an agility enthusiast, and a woman of faith who was full of life and who served as a role model to many people, died on October 8, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Jo Ellen Emswiler was born in Rockingham County and worked for the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office for 30 years; she held many positions at the Sheriff’s Office and was a member of the RUSH Drug Task Force, a school resource officer, and bailiff for the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court; and

WHEREAS, a hardworking and dedicated sheriff’s deputy who loved her work, Jo Ellen Emswiler was a role model for other women in law enforcement; she was strong and confident, readily sharing her knowledge and encouraging other women to be the best they possibly could be; and

WHEREAS, after retiring from the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office in 2006, Jo Ellen Emswiler—an animal lover since she was young—enrolled in college, became a licensed veterinary technician, and worked at Broadway Veterinary Hospital; and

WHEREAS, Jo Ellen Emswiler derived great pleasure from participating in agility trials with her dogs, where they earned a number of ribbons and titles and shared good times with many friends; she and her therapy dog Radar also visited Crestwood and Oak Lea Virginia Mennonite Retirement communities, where Radar gladdened many hearts; and

WHEREAS, a woman of faith, Jo Ellen Emswiler enjoyed fellowship and worship with the community as a member of Linville United Methodist Church; and

WHEREAS, Jo Ellen Emswiler, who was predeceased by her parents, Cloyd and Georgia; brother James, and her special dog, Kayak, will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by her siblings, Cloyd, Jr., and Judy, and their families and many other family members, friends, and the loves of her life, her dogs, Kady, Radar, Point, and Brenn; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Jo Ellen Emswiler of Harrisonburg, a career law-enforcement officer, veterinary technician, agility enthusiast who dearly loved her dogs, and a woman of faith who was an inspiring role model; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Jo Ellen Emswiler as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for her memory.