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2021 SPECIAL SESSION II

21300033D
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 788
Offered August 4, 2021
Celebrating the life of S. Stephen Bittle.
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Patrons-- Simon, Adams, D.M., Carr, Cole, J.G., Convirs-Fowler, Delaney, Filler-Corn, Guzman, Hayes, Hope, Jenkins, Keam, Kory, Levine, McQuinn, Mundon King, Murphy, Rasoul, Reid, Roem, Simonds, Subramanyam, Watts and Williams Graves
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WHEREAS, S. Stephen Bittle, a dedicated law-enforcement officer and longtime sheriff of the City of Falls Church, died on December 17, 2020; and

WHEREAS, S. Stephen “Steve” Bittle embarked upon his career in law enforcement when he joined the Falls Church Police Department on August 15, 1966; and

WHEREAS, Steve Bittle worked tirelessly every day to ensure the safety and well-being of the residents of Falls Church, ultimately achieving the rank of sergeant; and

WHEREAS, Steve Bittle left the Falls Church Police Department in 1992 when he was appointed by the Arlington Circuit Court to serve as interim sheriff of Falls Church, an office specifically established by the Constitution of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, as a testament to the community’s admiration for his leadership, Steve Bittle was officially elected sheriff of Falls Church in 1993 and was subsequently reelected to serve six additional terms in the post; and

WHEREAS, while head of the Falls Church Sheriff’s Office, Steve Bittle oversaw court security and prisoner transportation on behalf of the locality while working in conjunction with the Falls Church Police Department to enforce laws and protect and serve the community; and

WHEREAS, throughout his 28 years as sheriff of Falls Church, Steve Bittle advanced a community-oriented policing strategy that fostered a high standard for professionalism within the department and mutual respect between his deputies and the public; and

WHEREAS, Steve Bittle retired from the Falls Church Sheriff’s Office on August 15, 2020, after 54 years of combined service, making him the longest-serving city employee in the history of Falls Church; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of his half-century of service to Falls Church and the Commonwealth, Steve Bittle was honored with a commending resolution, House Joint Resolution No. 985, during the 2017 Session of the General Assembly; and

WHEREAS, preceded in death by his son, Stephen, Steve Bittle will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his loving wife of 28 years, Kathleen; his children, Susan, Julianna, Oscar, and Rebecca, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of S. Stephen Bittle, a law-enforcement officer and sheriff of the City of Falls Church whose integrity and commitment to duty made a profound and lasting impact on his community; 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 S. Stephen Bittle as an expression of the House of Delegates’ respect for his memory.