HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5073 Offered June 6, 2006 Celebrating the life of Officer Seneca B. Darden. ----------
Patrons-- Howell, A.T., Alexander, Amundson, BaCote, Barlow, Bulova, Caputo, Cline, Cole, Cosgrove, Dance, Gear, Hall, Hull, Joannou, Johnson, Jones, D.C., Lewis, Marsden, May, McClellan, McEachin, Melvin, Miller, Phillips, Plum, Rust, Saxman, Spruill, Suit, Tyler, Waddell, Ward, Ware, O. and Wittman
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WHEREAS, Seneca B. Darden, of the Norfolk Police Department, died in the line of duty on May 21, 2006; and

WHEREAS, Seneca Darden is remembered for his valiant performance as a law-enforcement officer and for his devotion to his faith, family, and fellow officers; and

WHEREAS, Seneca Darden was born on June 30, 1980, in Franklin, and for most of his youth grew up in Courtland, later relocating with his family to Portsmouth; and

WHEREAS, a 1998 graduate of Southampton High School, Seneca Darden majored in public administration at Virginia State University and aspired to be a dedicated police officer like his uncle; and

WHEREAS, Seneca Darden joined the Norfolk Police Department in September 2002 and served the residents of Norfolk for over four years as an outstanding public servant; and

WHEREAS, Seneca Darden was a faithful and enthusiastic member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Drewryville, participated in its numerous ministries, and sang in its inspirational male chorus; and

WHEREAS, Officer Darden will be remembered for his generous and compassionate nature and his ability to bring laughter and happiness to everyone he knew; he especially enjoyed the thrill of riding his motorcycle with his fellow officers and friends; and

WHEREAS, Officer Darden will be missed by his devoted wife, Brindle, and his wonderful daughter, Mariah; his loving parents, two sisters, and three brothers; and numerous other beloved family and friends; and

WHEREAS, the untimely death of Officer Darden is tragic for his family, for his fellow law-enforcement officers and the citizens of the Commonwealth, and it is 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 House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the passing of an exemplary law-enforcement officer and outstanding Virginian, Officer Seneca B. Darden; 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 Officer Seneca B. Darden as an expression of the respect in which his memory is held by the members of the General Assembly.