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2023 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 698
Commending Beth Arthur.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 20, 2023
Agreed to by the Senate, February 22, 2023

 

WHEREAS, Beth Arthur, a trailblazing leader for women in law enforcement who made history as the first female sheriff in Arlington County, has ably served as a member of the Arlington County Sheriff’s Office for more than 36 years; and

WHEREAS, Beth Arthur began her law-enforcement career in 1986, joining the Arlington County Sheriff’s Office as a budget and personnel analyst; two years later, she was promoted to director of administration and was responsible for human resources, training, budgeting, and information technology for the department; and

WHEREAS, in July 2000, Beth Arthur was appointed as sheriff of Arlington County by the Arlington Circuit Court, becoming the first female sheriff in the history of Arlington County; she won a special election later that same year and won re-election five times in 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, and 2019; and

WHEREAS, as sheriff, Beth Arthur has provided outstanding public safety services to the residents of Arlington County, leading a staff of nearly 300 and managing a budget of more than $35 million; and

WHEREAS, among her many duties, Beth Arthur has overseen the security of the local courthouse, transportation of inmates, and the operation of the Arlington County Detention Center; she implemented upgrades to the prison library, launched the Community Readiness Unit to help inmates transition back into society, and worked with community partners on other programs to reduce recidivism; and

WHEREAS, during Beth Arthur’s tenure, the Arlington County Sheriff’s Office has responded to numerous high-profile incidents, including as first responders to the terrorist attack on the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, and she successfully guided the department through the adoption of new policies and procedures in response to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic; and

WHEREAS, Beth Arthur has been a recognized leader in the field of law enforcement, and she was the first female board member and the first female president of the Virginia Sheriffs’ Association, most recently serving on its board of directors and its legislative committee; and

WHEREAS, Beth Arthur has also served as chair of the Virginia Criminal Justice Services Board and as a member of the National Sheriffs’ Association, the American Correctional Association, and the American Jail Association; as of November 2022 she is currently on the Board of Governors and Executive Committee of the American Correctional Association; and

WHEREAS, in 2022, Beth Arthur announced that she would not seek reelection as sheriff and plans to spend more time with her family and pursue other opportunities to serve the members of the Arlington County community and enhance the quality of life in Northern Virginia; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Beth Arthur for her decades of exceptional service as a member of the Arlington County Sheriff’s Office; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Beth Arthur as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for her achievements in service to the residents in Arlington County and the Commonwealth.