SJ83: Celebrating the life of Sergeant Lawrence T. Parker.

WHEREAS, Lawrence T. Parker of Glen Allen, a retired sergeant major with the United States Marine Corps Reserve and a sergeant with the Henrico County Division of Police, died on July 5, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Lawrence T. ?Tom? Parker, was born in Triangle on October 25, 1950, the son of James D. Parker and Dorothy Webster Mountjoy Parker; and

WHEREAS, Tom Parker honorably served his country for over 30 years as a decorated veteran of the United States Marine Corps Reserves, achieving the rank of sergeant major and participating in combat operations in Iraq and Kuwait during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm; and

WHEREAS, among his many accolades and military service medals, Sergeant Tom Parker was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal and the 2008 Congressional Veteran Commendation; he retired from the military in 2001; and

WHEREAS, during his notable 34-year law-enforcement career with the Henrico County Division of Police, Sergeant Tom Parker worked as a uniform patrol supervisor and received two Medals of Valor, one Citation, and numerous Letters of Compliment and Appreciation for his exemplary service; and

WHEREAS, an excellent leader and police officer, Sergeant Tom Parker also served as a gun range instructor for 29 years, as a member of the Honor Guard for 30 years, and as a military deportment instructor to police academies for seven years; and

WHEREAS, serving as a SWAT leader and mentor for 25 years, Sergeant Tom Parker was one of the original members of Henrico County?s SWAT team when it was formed in the mid-1970s; and

WHEREAS, committed to protecting and serving Virginia?s citizens and enforcing the laws of the Commonwealth, Sergeant Tom Parker was a courageous and professional police officer, who was highly respected by his fellow law-enforcement officers; and

WHEREAS, beyond his tough, disciplined exterior, Sergeant Tom Parker possessed a gentle inner nature that ?loved children, read poetry, and cut out inspirational quotes? to help motivate himself and others; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Tom Parker will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his devoted wife, Cindy Wood Parker; his son, L.T. Parker, Jr., two daughters, Christina Lynn and Kelley Michelle, and two grandchildren; his mother, Dorothy Webster Mountjoy Parker, and two brothers; and his many friends and colleagues; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the passing of an outstanding Virginian, Sergeant Lawrence T. Parker; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Sergeant Lawrence T. Parker as an expression of the General Assembly?s respect for his memory.

WHEREAS, Lawrence T. Parker of Glen Allen, a retired sergeant major with the United States Marine Corps Reserve and a sergeant with the Henrico County Division of Police, died on July 5, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Lawrence T. "Tom" Parker, was born in Triangle on October 25, 1950, the son of the late James D. Parker and Dorothy Webster Mountjoy Parker; and

WHEREAS, Tom Parker honorably served his country for over 30 years as a decorated veteran of the United States Marine Corps Reserves, achieving the rank of sergeant major and participating in combat operations in Iraq and Kuwait during Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield; and

WHEREAS, among his many accolades and military service medals, Sergeant Tom Parker was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal and the 2008 Congressional Veteran Commendation; he retired from the military in 2001; and

WHEREAS, during his notable 34-year law-enforcement career with the Henrico County Division of Police, Sergeant Tom Parker worked as a uniform patrol supervisor and received two Medals of Valor, one Citation, and numerous Letters of Compliment and Appreciation for his exemplary service; and

WHEREAS, an excellent leader and police officer, Sergeant Tom Parker also served as a gun range instructor for 29 years, a member of the Honor Guard for 30 years, and a military deportment instructor to police academies for seven years; and

WHEREAS, serving as a SWAT leader and mentor for 25 years, Sergeant Tom Parker was one of the original members of Henrico County’s SWAT team when it was formed in the mid-1970s; and

WHEREAS, committed to protecting and serving Virginia's citizens and enforcing the laws of the Commonwealth, Sergeant Tom Parker was a courageous and professional police officer, who was highly respected by his fellow law-enforcement officers; and

WHEREAS, beyond his tough, disciplined exterior, Sergeant Tom Parker possessed a gentle inner nature that “loved children, read poetry, and cut out inspirational quotes” to help motivate himself and others; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Tom Parker will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his devoted wife, Cindy Wood Parker; his son, L.T. Parker, Jr., two daughters, Christina Lynn and Kelley Michelle, and two grandchildren; his mother, Dorothy Webster Mountjoy Parker, and two brothers; and his many friends and colleagues; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the passing of an outstanding Virginian, Sergeant Lawrence T. Parker; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Sergeant Lawrence T. Parker as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.